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ORIGINAL PAPER
Social entrepreneurship and poverty reduction: The moderating role of social entrepreneurial real factors in selected states of Nigeria
1
University of South Africa, South Africa
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
Submission date: 2025-11-07
Final revision date: 2026-01-19
Acceptance date: 2026-02-13
Online publication date: 2026-06-30
Publication date: 2026-06-30
NSZ 2026;21(2):13-40
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Research objectives and hypothesis/research questions:
Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to look into social entrepreneurship and poverty reduction: the moderating role of social entrepreneurial real factors in selected states of Nigeria. Specifically, it examined: the effect of social innovation, social mission, social capital, and social change on poverty reduction.
Research methods:
A cross-sectional research design was adopted with a population of 14,700, the total population of farmers across the three NGOs. 374 participants were administered a structured questionnaire. PLS-SEM was used to evaluate the collected data.
Main results:
The study’s inferences suggest that the genuine determinants of social entrepreneurship operate as a moderately favourable moderator of the link between social entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation. Therefore, the study found that the variable effect of social entrepreneurship measures on poverty reduction was mitigated by the moderating effect of genuine characteristics related to social entrepreneurship. The standard of living improved, access to education increased, household income increased, and access to healthcare services improved.
Implications for theory and practice:
NGOs and other stakeholders need to improve the problem identification process by conducting a comprehensive needs assessment and engaging with stakeholders in order to increase the effectiveness of social entrepreneurship initiatives through its real factors in reducing poverty among farmers in farm NGOs. The effectiveness of social entrepreneurship in fighting poverty can be amplified by collaboration with government and other organizations. Creating a sustainable company plan and looking into other sources of funding is also crucial. Providing training, mentoring, and technical assistance to social entrepreneurs is also crucial for bolstering support structures.
Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to look into social entrepreneurship and poverty reduction: the moderating role of social entrepreneurial real factors in selected states of Nigeria. Specifically, it examined: the effect of social innovation, social mission, social capital, and social change on poverty reduction.
Research methods:
A cross-sectional research design was adopted with a population of 14,700, the total population of farmers across the three NGOs. 374 participants were administered a structured questionnaire. PLS-SEM was used to evaluate the collected data.
Main results:
The study’s inferences suggest that the genuine determinants of social entrepreneurship operate as a moderately favourable moderator of the link between social entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation. Therefore, the study found that the variable effect of social entrepreneurship measures on poverty reduction was mitigated by the moderating effect of genuine characteristics related to social entrepreneurship. The standard of living improved, access to education increased, household income increased, and access to healthcare services improved.
Implications for theory and practice:
NGOs and other stakeholders need to improve the problem identification process by conducting a comprehensive needs assessment and engaging with stakeholders in order to increase the effectiveness of social entrepreneurship initiatives through its real factors in reducing poverty among farmers in farm NGOs. The effectiveness of social entrepreneurship in fighting poverty can be amplified by collaboration with government and other organizations. Creating a sustainable company plan and looking into other sources of funding is also crucial. Providing training, mentoring, and technical assistance to social entrepreneurs is also crucial for bolstering support structures.
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