not tested though

[WordPress] Auto-activate required plugins

<?php
// Modified from https://gist.github.com/ericclemmons/6275346#gistcomment-2248160

// Add to: path/to/wp-content/wp-themes/your-theme/functions.php
/**
 * Activate required plugins
 */
include_once ( ABSPATH . 'wp-admin/includes/plugin.php' );

foreach ( array('plugin-name',) as $plugin ) {

	$path = sprintf('%s/%s.php', $plugin, $plugin);

	$result = activate_plugin( $path );

	if ( !is_wp_error( $result ) ) {
	    add_action( 'admin_notices', function() use ($plugin) {
	        echo '<div class="notice notice-success"><p>' . sprintf('<strong>%s</strong> plugin is required & auto-enabled by the current theme.', $plugin) . '</p></div>';
	    } );
	} else {
	    add_action( 'admin_notices', function() use ($plugin) {
	        echo '<div class="notice notice-error"><p>' . sprintf('<strong>%s</strong> plugin can\'t be auto-enabled by the current theme.', $plugin) . '</p></div>';
	    } );
	}
}