Abstract
Social entrepreneurship integrates business strategies with social missions to address complex societal challenges, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), where it fosters sustainable development by tackling poverty, inequality, and environmental issues. This narrative review synthesizes 34 empirical studies from 2015–2025 to examine how social entrepreneurship contributes to sustainable development in LDCs across agriculture, renewable energy, healthcare, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sectors. Utilizing hybrid value creation, institutional work, and ecosystem perspectives, the review highlights innovative models that bridge service gaps and promote economic and social resilience. Key findings reveal social enterprises enhance agricultural yields by 20–30%, reduce energy poverty by up to 40%, improve latrine uptake by 60%, and decrease under-five mortality by 35%. However, significant research gaps persist regarding longitudinal impacts, particularly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, alongside operational barriers including bureaucratic hurdles, regulatory ambiguities, and funding constraints. The review identifies critical enablers such as multi-stakeholder partnerships and concessional finance, while highlighting barriers in conflict-affected regions. Policy recommendations emphasize fostering supportive legal frameworks, enhancing collaboration, and investing in education to scale social enterprises. By aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), social entrepreneurship emerges as a vital mechanism for inclusive growth and systemic change in LDCs, requiring greater integration into global development agendas.
Keywords: Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development, Least Developed Countries, Hybrid Value Creation, Institutional Work, Ecosystem Perspective
