Social Justice Innovation in Africa

Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, this book discusses the potential of social innovation in the pursuit of social justice in Africa. In the twenty-first century, social innovation and entrepreneurship has attracted renewed attention as a way of promoting social justice and addressing challenges of poverty and inequality.

Drawing on perspectives from human rights, economics, business, development studies and anthropology, the book illustrates the entangled relationship between societal areas and activities, as well as different actors (individuals, communities, business actors, non-governmental organisations, public authorities) in social innovation. It identifies various models of social innovation, ranging from grass-roots initiatives to public policy-making, and discusses their impact on socio-economic welfare. The book analyses a broad range of original research data and incorporates localised understandings of social innovation, highlighting both the empowering potential of social innovation, but also the possibility that it could sustain or create inequalities. The book deepens an understanding what makes social innovation ‘social’ and ‘just’.

Arguing that social justice innovation can only be understood through a contextual and cross-disciplinary approach, the book will be of interest for researchers and policy makers across the fields of human rights, economics, business, development studies, anthropology, and African studies.