Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship
The Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship provides foundational training in social enterprise development, social innovation, business models for social impact, and sustainable development. Students learn social entrepreneurship concepts, social enterprise design, impact measurement, social innovation, and sustainable business models. The programme is designed for individuals seeking to start or work in social enterprises or as a pathway to further studies in social entrepreneurship.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 60,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 60,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 61,650 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of D+ or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1 year, blended (online and face-to-face), with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic Audit Investigator, at 17 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop competencies in social entrepreneurship, social enterprise design, impact measurement, social innovation, business planning, and sustainable development. The curriculum covers introduction to social entrepreneurship, social enterprise business models, social innovation, impact measurement, business planning for social enterprises, financial sustainability, marketing for social enterprises, and social enterprise project work. Practical skills are developed through case studies and enterprise development exercises.
Social entrepreneurship is growing in Kenya as a model for addressing social challenges through sustainable business approaches. Social enterprises, NGOs, community organisations, and development agencies require personnel who understand social enterprise development and impact. Kenya has one of Africa's most vibrant social enterprise sectors. The programme addresses the demand for foundational social entrepreneurship training.
The programme combines classroom lectures with case studies, practical exercises, and social enterprise project work. Students study social enterprise models, analyse social impact, develop business plans, and design social innovations. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, group discussions, and project-based work. The programme is offered in blended mode (online and face-to-face).
Graduates find employment as social enterprise assistants, programme assistants in social enterprises, community enterprise coordinators, or start their own social enterprises. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma programmes in social entrepreneurship at Tangaza University.
This programme is ideal for aspiring social entrepreneurs, NGO workers, community leaders, and individuals seeking to combine business skills with social impact. The programme provides practical skills for starting and managing social enterprises.
What you study
10 subjects- Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
- Social Enterprise Business Models
- Social Innovation
- Impact Measurement
- Business Planning for Social Enterprises
- Financial Sustainability
- Marketing for Social Enterprises
- Social Enterprise Law and Governance
- Fundraising and Resource Mobilisation
- Social Enterprise Project Work
Modules
8 in the programmeIntroduction to Social Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to social entrepreneurship covering social enterprise concepts, history, types of social enterprises, the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Kenya, and the role of social entrepreneurs.
Social Enterprise Business Models
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Social enterprise business models covering revenue models, social value propositions, beneficiary models, cross-subsidisation, and designing sustainable business models for social impact.
Social Innovation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Social innovation covering innovation processes, design thinking for social impact, identifying social problems, developing innovative solutions, and scaling social innovations.
Impact Measurement and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Impact measurement covering impact frameworks, theory of change, impact indicators, data collection for impact, and managing and reporting social impact.
Business Planning for Social Enterprises
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Business planning covering business plan development for social enterprises, market analysis, operational planning, financial projections, and sustainability planning.
Financial Sustainability and Fundraising
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Financial sustainability covering revenue diversification, cost management, financial planning, fundraising strategies, grant writing, and resource mobilisation for social enterprises.
Marketing and Governance for Social Enterprises
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Marketing for social enterprises covering social marketing, beneficiary communication, brand building, and governance structures, legal frameworks, and accountability for social enterprises.
Social Enterprise Project and Capstone
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
A social enterprise project developing a complete business plan for a social enterprise, including social value proposition, business model, impact plan, and financial projections.
Specialisations
Social Enterprise Development
Focus on social enterprise design, business model development, business planning, and managing social enterprise operations.
Social Innovation
Focus on innovation processes, design thinking for social impact, and developing and scaling social innovations.
Impact Measurement
Focus on impact frameworks, theory of change, impact data collection, and managing and reporting social impact.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on social entrepreneurship theory with afternoon case study discussions and enterprise development exercises. Students analyse social enterprise models, develop business plans, design social innovations, and practise impact measurement. Group work involves developing social enterprise plans and pitching social venture ideas. The blended format combines online learning with face-to-face sessions. The programme emphasises practical social enterprise development skills.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya has one of Africa's most vibrant social enterprise sectors with growing opportunities. | The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility. |
| Blended learning mode provides flexibility for working professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs. | Social enterprise careers may be limited without further study or entrepreneurial initiative. |
| Provides skills for starting social enterprises and a pathway to diploma programmes in social entrepreneurship. | Social enterprises face challenges in achieving both financial sustainability and social impact. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 331 business coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
Chuka Cert Entrepreneurship 60K/yr public (chuka.ac.ke). Tangaza 36K, MKU 61.65K priv.
HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students. Tangaza University may offer church sponsorship or institutional scholarships for social transformation students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities
NGCDF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective constituencies pursuing certificate-level studies
Scholarships you could apply for
1 usable where it is taught- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE D+ (Plus) or equivalent. Contact Tangaza University for specific entry requirements.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Tangaza University.
Including Tangaza University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment
Written examination40% of the mark
Regular assessments evaluating understanding of social entrepreneurship, business models, and impact measurement concepts.
Case Studies and Enterprise Assignments
Project30% of the mark
Case study analyses of social enterprises, business plan development, and social innovation assignments.
End of Semester Examinations and Capstone Project
Project30% of the mark
Final examinations and a capstone social enterprise business plan demonstrating applied competencies.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Tangaza University is accredited by CUE.
Tangaza University is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered under the Institute for Social Transformation.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesSocial Enterprise Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 18,000 to Ksh 55,000
Assists in social enterprise operations, supporting business activities, impact measurement, programme delivery, and enterprise coordination in social enterprises or NGOs.
Programme Assistant (Social Enterprise)
Moderate demand
Supports social enterprise programmes in NGOs or development organisations, assisting with programme implementation, beneficiary engagement, and impact monitoring.
Community Enterprise Coordinator
Moderate demand
Coordinates community enterprise initiatives in community organisations or development agencies, supporting community groups in developing income-generating activities.
Social Entrepreneur (Self-Employed)
Moderate demand
Starts and runs a social enterprise addressing a social challenge in areas such as education, health, environment, agriculture, or community development.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates find employment as social enterprise assistants, programme assistants, and community enterprise coordinators in social enterprises, NGOs, and development organisations, with opportunities to start their own social enterprises or progress to diploma programmes.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Forensic Audit InvestigatorBusiness17Low exposure
- Franchise Operations ManagerBusiness18Low exposure
- Infrastructure Finance SpecialistBusiness18Low exposure
- Intermodal Reefer TechnicianBusiness18Low exposure
- Climate Risk UnderwriterBusiness19Low exposure
- Coldchain Logistics ManagerBusiness19Low exposure
- Municipal Finance SpecialistBusiness19Low exposure
- Islamic Banking SpecialistBusiness20Low exposure
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Social entrepreneurship is just charity work.
Social entrepreneurship combines business principles with social impact, creating sustainable enterprises that generate revenue while addressing social challenges.
Social enterprises cannot make profit.
Social enterprises can be profitable — the key distinction is that profit is reinvested in the social mission rather than distributed to shareholders.
A certificate in social entrepreneurship has limited career value.
Kenya's social enterprise sector is growing, and the certificate provides skills for starting social enterprises and working in development organisations.
Social entrepreneurship is only for NGO workers.
Social entrepreneurship skills are valuable for business owners, community leaders, development workers, and anyone seeking to create social impact through enterprise.