Social Enterprise and Rural Development: The Case of Zambia

Abstract

This study analyses the development and role of social enterprises in the rural areas of the Copperbelt region of Zambia. Against the backdrop of increasing socio-economic challenges and the critical need for innovative food security solutions, this study contributes to the existing literature on social enterprise development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The research employs a qualitative case study approach, focusing on four social enterprises operating in the rural areas of the Copperbelt region. A semi-structured interview guide is used to gather data from key informants. By using components of Giddens’ structural theory, this investigation finds that the development of social enterprises in the rural areas of the Copperbelt region is intricately linked to the local context and conditions in which they operate.