The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has just concluded a workshop on the above captioned. The meeting was held at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Objective and scope of the workshop
• The overall objective of the workshop was to discuss the key issues involved in the development and implementation of networks of SMEs aimed at alleviating some of the challenges faced by SMEs in Africa.
• To highlight best practices and share experience in the development and implementation of networks of SMEs in Africa and elsewhere and to discuss how SMEs can benefit from existing SME networks
The workshop brought together participants drawn from:
• ECA Consultant specializing in SME networks
• Experts from practitioners on SME networks from selected SADC and EAC countries, and Ethiopia
• Representatives of AFDB, UNDP, UNCTAD, IFC and UNIDO
• Representatives from bilateral partners like Finland, UK, etc
• Selected SMEs and large companies from participating countries and
• Staff members from the ECA Secretariat, including from sub-regional offices
"helping Small Business Owners Scale the Steps to Business Success"
Symbol of Hope for Small Businesses in East Africa
Friday, November 18, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
THE SME HANDBOOK GOES TO TANZANIA
Mr. Josephat Rweyemamu, the Chairman of the Confederation of Informal Sector Organizations in Tanzania (CISO-TZ) receives the SME HandBook from the SME HandBook Team Leader Mr. Richard N. Muteti on behalf of the informal sector organizations in Tanzania
looking on is Mrs Jane Kijiko, Chair Person for the Association of East African Women Entrepreneurs at a brief ceremony in Dar Es Salaam
looking on is Mrs Jane Kijiko, Chair Person for the Association of East African Women Entrepreneurs at a brief ceremony in Dar Es Salaam
Sunday, September 18, 2011
ZIMBABWEAN MINISTER FOR SMALL BUSINESSES VISITS KENYA
Minister for small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development from the Republic of Zimbabwe visits Micro and Small Enterprises in Nairobi
A high powered Zimbabwean government delegation led by the Minister for small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Hon. Sithembiso G. G. Nyoni (M.P) visited the informal economic sector (Jua Kali Artisans) based in Kamukunji Jua Kali Association on 15th September 2011 where she toured the MSE owned businesses and witnessed the various talents and innovation that is found among the informal economic (MSEs) sector
among the guests were: His Excellency the Ambassador for Zimbabwe Hon. Kelebert Nkomani and officials from her ministry ,Dr.Jeremiah M. Nyatichi, Deputy commissioner, Ministry of Co-operative Development and Marketing from Kenya and the Chief Executive Officer of the Micro and Small Enterprises (Jua Kali Sector) Federation, Mr. Richard N. Muteti
Kamukunji Jua Kali Association (one of the 850 primary jua kali associations in Kenya)with more than 6000 artisans is home to more than 2000 young entrepreneurs (Jua Kali Artisans) engaged in the production of various metal products i.e., wheelbarrows, nails, institutional stoves, shovels etc
The MSEs in the Informal Economic Sector in Kenya are divided into:
A. Manufacturing
B. Small Traders
C. Service Providers
D. Agro Based (Small farmers)
The manufacturing actors popularly known as the Jua kali artisans operate in around 18 sub sectors covering: Woodworkers/carpentry, Wood crafts, Metal and Metal works, Soapstone crafts, Ceramics, Plastic and Plastic Products, Leather Production, Textile products(with several subsections i.e. screen printing etc),Clay/Poetry crafts, Beekeeping, Mechanical Engineering ,food processing, Electrical/ electronic etc.
A high powered Zimbabwean government delegation led by the Minister for small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Hon. Sithembiso G. G. Nyoni (M.P) visited the informal economic sector (Jua Kali Artisans) based in Kamukunji Jua Kali Association on 15th September 2011 where she toured the MSE owned businesses and witnessed the various talents and innovation that is found among the informal economic (MSEs) sector
among the guests were: His Excellency the Ambassador for Zimbabwe Hon. Kelebert Nkomani and officials from her ministry ,Dr.Jeremiah M. Nyatichi, Deputy commissioner, Ministry of Co-operative Development and Marketing from Kenya and the Chief Executive Officer of the Micro and Small Enterprises (Jua Kali Sector) Federation, Mr. Richard N. Muteti
Kamukunji Jua Kali Association (one of the 850 primary jua kali associations in Kenya)with more than 6000 artisans is home to more than 2000 young entrepreneurs (Jua Kali Artisans) engaged in the production of various metal products i.e., wheelbarrows, nails, institutional stoves, shovels etc
The MSEs in the Informal Economic Sector in Kenya are divided into:
A. Manufacturing
B. Small Traders
C. Service Providers
D. Agro Based (Small farmers)
The manufacturing actors popularly known as the Jua kali artisans operate in around 18 sub sectors covering: Woodworkers/carpentry, Wood crafts, Metal and Metal works, Soapstone crafts, Ceramics, Plastic and Plastic Products, Leather Production, Textile products(with several subsections i.e. screen printing etc),Clay/Poetry crafts, Beekeeping, Mechanical Engineering ,food processing, Electrical/ electronic etc.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
LAUNCH OF THE SME HANDBOOK-14th September 2011
New SME Handbook to empower small businesspeople with information launched
A new and comprehensive Handbook to address the critical need for information to small business people in Kenya was launched on 14th, September 2011 at the Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi.. The SME Handbook is an initiative of the Small and Medium Enterprises Support-East Africa, an institution that works in partnership with most of the apex SME bodies in Kenya and the region to facilitate their access to critical inputs needed for their development. It was published by Aquarius Media, a PR and publishing consultancy that caters for clients in Kenya and the Eastern Africa region.
The Handbook has been borne of a stated need by many SMES through their apex bodies for a comprehensive databank to act as a one-stop-shop for accessing information on how the small businesspeople in the country can improve their businesses. The inadequate access to timely and relevant information by small businesspeople has been identified by the Government as a major obstacle to their growth.
The SME Handbook has been developed as a public-private partnership, with collaboration between the various stakeholders in this sector both at Governmental and private sector levels. It is poised to become a critical source of business information specifically targeted at small businesspeople. Among the partners are the various Government ministries including Ministry of Trade and Labour, as well as private sector players like Inoorero University, Metropolitan Life, National Hospital Insurance Fund, Equity Bank.
Other partners include private sector associations like Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the East Africa Business Association (EABC), and member organizations in the micro, small and medium enterprises sector.
The SME Handbook was launched by the Minister for Trade, Hon. Amb. Chirau Ali Mwakwere In the presence of the SME Handbook Project Team Leader, Mr. Richard Muteti.in attendance were, Eng. Patrick Obath, chairman, KEPSA, the vice chairman of EABC, Mr Keli Kiilu, and the Director of Internal Trade, Mrs Joyce Ogundo.
The book will be distributed countrywide to small business people through the offices of the Ministry of Trade, and the Business Information centres, as well as the apex umbrella institutions in the micro, small and medium enterprises.
A new and comprehensive Handbook to address the critical need for information to small business people in Kenya was launched on 14th, September 2011 at the Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi.. The SME Handbook is an initiative of the Small and Medium Enterprises Support-East Africa, an institution that works in partnership with most of the apex SME bodies in Kenya and the region to facilitate their access to critical inputs needed for their development. It was published by Aquarius Media, a PR and publishing consultancy that caters for clients in Kenya and the Eastern Africa region.
The Handbook has been borne of a stated need by many SMES through their apex bodies for a comprehensive databank to act as a one-stop-shop for accessing information on how the small businesspeople in the country can improve their businesses. The inadequate access to timely and relevant information by small businesspeople has been identified by the Government as a major obstacle to their growth.
The SME Handbook has been developed as a public-private partnership, with collaboration between the various stakeholders in this sector both at Governmental and private sector levels. It is poised to become a critical source of business information specifically targeted at small businesspeople. Among the partners are the various Government ministries including Ministry of Trade and Labour, as well as private sector players like Inoorero University, Metropolitan Life, National Hospital Insurance Fund, Equity Bank.
Other partners include private sector associations like Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the East Africa Business Association (EABC), and member organizations in the micro, small and medium enterprises sector.
The SME Handbook was launched by the Minister for Trade, Hon. Amb. Chirau Ali Mwakwere In the presence of the SME Handbook Project Team Leader, Mr. Richard Muteti.in attendance were, Eng. Patrick Obath, chairman, KEPSA, the vice chairman of EABC, Mr Keli Kiilu, and the Director of Internal Trade, Mrs Joyce Ogundo.
The book will be distributed countrywide to small business people through the offices of the Ministry of Trade, and the Business Information centres, as well as the apex umbrella institutions in the micro, small and medium enterprises.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Small & Medium Enterprise Support, East Africa: PRIVATE SECTOR LEADERS MEETS THE PRESIDENT IN KENY...
Small & Medium Enterprise Support, East Africa: PRIVATE SECTOR LEADERS MEETS THE PRESIDENT IN KENY...: KEPSA meets the President to discuss Kenya's Industrialization and Competitiveness Agenda KEPSA met the President, his Excellency Mwai Kiba...
Monday, August 15, 2011
PRIVATE SECTOR LEADERS MEETS THE PRESIDENT IN KENYA
KEPSA meets the President to discuss Kenya's Industrialization and Competitiveness Agenda
KEPSA met the President, his Excellency Mwai Kibaki on 27th July during its bi annual meeting, the Presidential Private Sector Working Forum (PPSWF) at Harambee house, Nairobi to discuss Kenya’s Industrialization and Competitiveness Agenda. KEPSA called for a complete paradigm shift in the current context of high cost of living, energy shortages, drought and famine situation by the government and all stakeholders to focus on factors of production and give incentives to enhance sustainability rather than focusing on factors of consumption.
On the other hand, KEPSA commended the government for various milestones achieved with regard to the implementation of the new Constitution and other infrastructural developments that will sustain the country as an economic hub regionally and beyond.
KEPSA however urged the government ministries to be mindful of timeliness in public procurement processes as well as during implementation of various development projects. It appreciated that Kenya was pioneering in the public private sector engagements through a policy framework formulated by the Ministry of Finance.
KEPSA suggested to the government to mitigate the current drought and famine in the country by capacity building in the irrigation sub sector within the agriculture sector to ensure food security and avoid over-reliance on rain-fed farming. In addition the government should now shift focus by improving inter-ministerial coordination among relevant ministries on food security issues to avert this perennial disaster.
Other issues discussed included the establishment of the Special Economic Zones as key drivers to addressing unemployment, increasing competitiveness and achievement economic growth; national security; exploiting the potential in Business Process Outsourcing sector and reviving the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The KEPSA team was led by Vimal Shah, the Vice Chairman.
KEPSA met the President, his Excellency Mwai Kibaki on 27th July during its bi annual meeting, the Presidential Private Sector Working Forum (PPSWF) at Harambee house, Nairobi to discuss Kenya’s Industrialization and Competitiveness Agenda. KEPSA called for a complete paradigm shift in the current context of high cost of living, energy shortages, drought and famine situation by the government and all stakeholders to focus on factors of production and give incentives to enhance sustainability rather than focusing on factors of consumption.
On the other hand, KEPSA commended the government for various milestones achieved with regard to the implementation of the new Constitution and other infrastructural developments that will sustain the country as an economic hub regionally and beyond.
KEPSA however urged the government ministries to be mindful of timeliness in public procurement processes as well as during implementation of various development projects. It appreciated that Kenya was pioneering in the public private sector engagements through a policy framework formulated by the Ministry of Finance.
KEPSA suggested to the government to mitigate the current drought and famine in the country by capacity building in the irrigation sub sector within the agriculture sector to ensure food security and avoid over-reliance on rain-fed farming. In addition the government should now shift focus by improving inter-ministerial coordination among relevant ministries on food security issues to avert this perennial disaster.
Other issues discussed included the establishment of the Special Economic Zones as key drivers to addressing unemployment, increasing competitiveness and achievement economic growth; national security; exploiting the potential in Business Process Outsourcing sector and reviving the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The KEPSA team was led by Vimal Shah, the Vice Chairman.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS GETS A BOOST THROUGH MENTORSHIP
MSME Gets a Boost in Mentorship
The MSME Mentorship program launched on 20th July, 2011 at the Hilton Hotel from 7:00am to 9:00am.
Inorero University (IU) with support from the Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi and in collaboration with the International Labour Organization – through the Youth Entrepreneurship Facility (ILO – YEF); Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE); Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA); Africa Youth Trust (AYT); Enablis and Kenya Association of Women Business Owners (KAWBO) has developed a system of training and qualifying business mentors/ advisors who will provide support to the many firms operating in both the formal and informal economy in Kenya in order to contribute to more sustainable enterprise development. The role of the trained business mentors is to generate advice and provide technical support on growth opportunities and of possibilities of financial and other support services on a regular basis to entrepreneurs – and especially young entrepreneurs.
Course Structure
The course shall be offered twice a month, i.e., 4 consecutive days (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) per month, for a period of 5 months, with the sixth month dedicated towards project defense. The 4 days are further distributed into 2 days of Business Dimension learning and another 2 days of Personal Leadership and Mentoring Skill development. The courses are Module based. (Accumulation of various training areas delivered on agreed time frame), the 6 modules are as follows:
• Understanding the nature of the Mentee/ Entrepreneur’s business
• Understanding the nature of the Mentee/ Entrepreneur’s market, value proposition and delivery systems; Strategy contemplation
• Creating and financing Mentee business growth
• Taking advantage of Business Environment in East Africa; what do I need to know?
• Leading Mentee Business and Entrepreneur growth
• Final Project Work based on the Mentee/ Entrepreneur Enterprise
The MSME Mentorship program launched on 20th July, 2011 at the Hilton Hotel from 7:00am to 9:00am.
Inorero University (IU) with support from the Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi and in collaboration with the International Labour Organization – through the Youth Entrepreneurship Facility (ILO – YEF); Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE); Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA); Africa Youth Trust (AYT); Enablis and Kenya Association of Women Business Owners (KAWBO) has developed a system of training and qualifying business mentors/ advisors who will provide support to the many firms operating in both the formal and informal economy in Kenya in order to contribute to more sustainable enterprise development. The role of the trained business mentors is to generate advice and provide technical support on growth opportunities and of possibilities of financial and other support services on a regular basis to entrepreneurs – and especially young entrepreneurs.
Course Structure
The course shall be offered twice a month, i.e., 4 consecutive days (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) per month, for a period of 5 months, with the sixth month dedicated towards project defense. The 4 days are further distributed into 2 days of Business Dimension learning and another 2 days of Personal Leadership and Mentoring Skill development. The courses are Module based. (Accumulation of various training areas delivered on agreed time frame), the 6 modules are as follows:
• Understanding the nature of the Mentee/ Entrepreneur’s business
• Understanding the nature of the Mentee/ Entrepreneur’s market, value proposition and delivery systems; Strategy contemplation
• Creating and financing Mentee business growth
• Taking advantage of Business Environment in East Africa; what do I need to know?
• Leading Mentee Business and Entrepreneur growth
• Final Project Work based on the Mentee/ Entrepreneur Enterprise
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)