5th Conference on Cooperatives & Solidarity Economy set for Sandton, South Africa
The four-day programme will include opening and closing plenaries, a pre-conference research workshop for emerging scholars, and a learning forum on November 5, 2025 designed to foster engagement between researchers and cooperatives
KAMPALA, November 3, 2025 –- The 5th Edition of the Conference on Cooperatives and the Solidarity Economy [CCSE] takes place from November 4-7, 2025 in Sandton, Johannesburg, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of this important international gathering.
Hosted by the Africa Cooperatives Institute of South Africa [ACISA], the 2025 edition will bring together hundreds of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to explore innovative strategies for advancing the cooperative movement and strengthening the solidarity economy across Africa.
A key highlight of this year’s conference is the introduction of pitch@ccse, a new feature that will see young innovators take to the stage to present pioneering ideas in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, sustainable building materials, fintech, and agri-business innovation. Participants will pitch before a panel of academics and cooperative entrepreneurs, blending youthful innovation with rigorous scholarly dialogue.
The four-day programme will include opening and closing plenaries, a pre-conference research workshop for emerging scholars, and a learning forum on November 5, 2025 designed to foster engagement between researchers and cooperatives. Outstanding performers will receive awards during the Awards Dinner.
Scholarly contributions and themes
The 2025 conference will revolve around six core themes: Enablers of the cooperative movement; Leveraging the cooperative model for socio-economic development; Cooperatives, social and solidarity economy; Cooperatives, climate change, resilience, and inclusion; Cooperatives and sustainability; and Critical reflections on the 1st and 2nd International Year of Cooperatives
Leadership and keynotes
The conference committee is chaired by Dr Andrew Emmanuel Okem [ACISA], with Dr Julia Modise [ACISA] serving as the 2025 Honorary Chair. Other members include academics/cooperative experts from South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, France, Spain, Argentina, and Uganda.
Dr Claudia Sanchez Bajo of the University of Buenos Aires will speak at the event about the role of research in the cooperative agenda, while Leonard Okello, CEO of the Uhuru Institute for Social Development [TUI], will deliver a keynote speech at the event. TUI is Uganda’s leading social business enterprise that supports cooperatives in the country and across Africa.
Building knowledge for the future
Since its inception in 2021, the CCSE has established itself as a premier platform for the exchange of ideas and research on cooperative economics. It continues to serve as a bridge between academia and practice, fostering dialogue and co-creation of knowledge to strengthen the cooperative and solidarity economy sectors globally.
The 2025 conference, organised as part of the activities to mark 2025 International Year of Cooperatives; is organised by ACISA in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency [South Africa], TUI, and Oxford University Press.
https://thecooperator.news/south-africa-outlines-interventions-to-boost-local-cooperatives/
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