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
"helping Small Business Owners Scale the Steps to Business Success"
Symbol of Hope for Small Businesses in East Africa
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Trade logistics and the investment climate gets a major boost
Kenya Private Sector Alliance gets 38M to improve Kenyan trade logistics and the investment climate
The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), signed a Grant Agreement TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) Kenya Country Programme on July 14, 2011
Numerous problems, barriers and impediments were identified as the biggest Non-Tarrif Barriers (NTBs) to smooth and efficient trade not only within Kenya, but in the larger East African market. KEPSA was mandated to act as a facilitator of the process to address these impediments, while ensuring full consultation and inputs from all the relevant Government Ministries Departments and Agencies (MSAs) and Private Sector players.
Through TMEA financial support, KEPSA will provide leadership in the development of National Investment Master Plan (NIMP). A supportive communication strategy will also be developed to ensure that the public is sufficiently informed. KEPSA will also engage stakeholders in addressing bottlenecks at the port of Mombasa and the persistent delays at weighbridges. To provide leadership in driving the EAC integration process on behalf of its members, KEPSA will identify bottlenecks Kenyan businesses encounter in regional trade activities. This work will be coordinated with Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) to ensure synergy.
TMEA seeks to support East African integration by unlocking economic potential through:
• Reducing costs of transport along key corridors on East Africa;
• Supporting EAC institutions to develop a comprehensive framework for regional integration;
• Supporting partner states to substantially increase the implementation of a comprehensive framework for regional integration; and
• Engaging private sector and civil society to positively influence regional integration policies and practices for growth in trade.
The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), signed a Grant Agreement TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) Kenya Country Programme on July 14, 2011
Numerous problems, barriers and impediments were identified as the biggest Non-Tarrif Barriers (NTBs) to smooth and efficient trade not only within Kenya, but in the larger East African market. KEPSA was mandated to act as a facilitator of the process to address these impediments, while ensuring full consultation and inputs from all the relevant Government Ministries Departments and Agencies (MSAs) and Private Sector players.
Through TMEA financial support, KEPSA will provide leadership in the development of National Investment Master Plan (NIMP). A supportive communication strategy will also be developed to ensure that the public is sufficiently informed. KEPSA will also engage stakeholders in addressing bottlenecks at the port of Mombasa and the persistent delays at weighbridges. To provide leadership in driving the EAC integration process on behalf of its members, KEPSA will identify bottlenecks Kenyan businesses encounter in regional trade activities. This work will be coordinated with Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) to ensure synergy.
TMEA seeks to support East African integration by unlocking economic potential through:
• Reducing costs of transport along key corridors on East Africa;
• Supporting EAC institutions to develop a comprehensive framework for regional integration;
• Supporting partner states to substantially increase the implementation of a comprehensive framework for regional integration; and
• Engaging private sector and civil society to positively influence regional integration policies and practices for growth in trade.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
African Organization for Standardization signs an MOU with KATS-KOREA
The African Organization for Standardization (ARSO)Visited Seoul, Korea and signed an MOU with the Korean Agency for Technology (KATS) on 1st June 2011.
the MOU acknowledged the importance and contribution of standardization and conformity assessment to value addition improvement, production efficacy and commercial exchange of goods and services
Among the salient features of the MOU is the need to support capacity building for harmonization of National,Regional Economic Communities (RECs)and international standards and shall encourage and improve global trade as well as consumer protection and help in the capacity building programs to benefit both the member States of ARSO and the Republic of Korea
the MOU acknowledged the importance and contribution of standardization and conformity assessment to value addition improvement, production efficacy and commercial exchange of goods and services
Among the salient features of the MOU is the need to support capacity building for harmonization of National,Regional Economic Communities (RECs)and international standards and shall encourage and improve global trade as well as consumer protection and help in the capacity building programs to benefit both the member States of ARSO and the Republic of Korea
Sunday, April 24, 2011
EAST AFRICA COMMUNITY GETS A NEW SECRETARY GENERAL
EAST AFRICA COMMUNITY GETS A NEW SECRETARY GENERAL
Dr. Richard Sezibera, a Medical Doctor from the Republic of Rwanda was picked to head the East African Community as the Secretary General, replacing Mr. Juma Mwapachu.
Mr. Juma Mwapachu is credited with overseeing the establishment of the EAC Customs Union and the Common Market while Dr. Richard Sezibera is expected to spearhead the next critical phase of integration which is the Monetary Union and the Political Federation
The east African community (EAC) is the regional intergovernmental organization of the republics of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, with its Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The treaty for the establishment of the east African community (EAC) was signed on 30th November 1999 and entered into force on 7th July 2000 following its ratification by the Original Three Partner States (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda)
The Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi acceded to the EAC Treaty on 18th June 2007 and became full members of the community with effect from 1st July 2007
The EAC Secretariat is the executive arm of the Community.
SMES, East Africa
Dr. Richard Sezibera, a Medical Doctor from the Republic of Rwanda was picked to head the East African Community as the Secretary General, replacing Mr. Juma Mwapachu.
Mr. Juma Mwapachu is credited with overseeing the establishment of the EAC Customs Union and the Common Market while Dr. Richard Sezibera is expected to spearhead the next critical phase of integration which is the Monetary Union and the Political Federation
The east African community (EAC) is the regional intergovernmental organization of the republics of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, with its Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The treaty for the establishment of the east African community (EAC) was signed on 30th November 1999 and entered into force on 7th July 2000 following its ratification by the Original Three Partner States (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda)
The Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi acceded to the EAC Treaty on 18th June 2007 and became full members of the community with effect from 1st July 2007
The EAC Secretariat is the executive arm of the Community.
SMES, East Africa
Saturday, December 11, 2010
CIPE holds an Africa Partners Roundtable
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) organized a CIPE Africa Partners Roundtable “Strategies for Reform,” held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, at the White Sands Hotel, from December 7-9, 2010.
This roundtable on recognizing the vital and strategic role that business associations and think tanks play in advancing democratic and economic reform on the continent was an event for key CIPE partners and colleagues to actively engage in discussion and share best practices. The event provided participants with an opportunity to gain valuable tools from the most successful CIPE reform programs in the region, as well as further their network with other associations and think tanks in Africa to facilitate collaboration. The program involved a network of 20-25 distinguished CIPE partners from Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zimbabwe, and others.
The active participants in the roundtable enhanced their organization’s strategic focus and programming, as well as gave them the opportunity to provide valuable input into CIPE’s strategy to support reform efforts on the continent.
We at SMES-EA wish CIPE all the best in their work in the African Continet
This roundtable on recognizing the vital and strategic role that business associations and think tanks play in advancing democratic and economic reform on the continent was an event for key CIPE partners and colleagues to actively engage in discussion and share best practices. The event provided participants with an opportunity to gain valuable tools from the most successful CIPE reform programs in the region, as well as further their network with other associations and think tanks in Africa to facilitate collaboration. The program involved a network of 20-25 distinguished CIPE partners from Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zimbabwe, and others.
The active participants in the roundtable enhanced their organization’s strategic focus and programming, as well as gave them the opportunity to provide valuable input into CIPE’s strategy to support reform efforts on the continent.
We at SMES-EA wish CIPE all the best in their work in the African Continet
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Kenya - Burundi Friendship week
The first ever Kenya-Burundi. Friendship week
The Kenyan Embassy in Bujumbura - Burundi organized a series of activities to mark the first ever Kenya-Burundi friendship week. These activities included a road race ; Football match between parliamentarians from Kenya and Burundi; A boda boda (Bike) race and Cultural night. These events were designed to enhance the cordial relationship that exist between the people of Kenya and Burundi and to foster closer partnership.
The Kenyan Embassy in Bujumbura - Burundi organized a series of activities to mark the first ever Kenya-Burundi friendship week. These activities included a road race ; Football match between parliamentarians from Kenya and Burundi; A boda boda (Bike) race and Cultural night. These events were designed to enhance the cordial relationship that exist between the people of Kenya and Burundi and to foster closer partnership.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Workshop on Entrepreneurship Development in Africa- Copenhagen, Denmark
The Centre for Business and Development Studies at Copenhagen Business School and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (the Danish Development Cooperation) has just concluded a high level meeting on Entrepreneurship Development in Africa held between 6th and 8th September 2010 at the Copenhagen business school in Denmark.
The objective of the workshop on Entrepreneurship Development in Africa was to share the knowledge and experiences to discuss and provide conclusions on what role entrepreneurship development has played and can play to stimulate growth and development in Africa. The aim was to provide inputs and recommendations to how entrepreneurship in Africa should be supported in the future based on the accumulated knowledge from research and practical experiences.
The meeting was punctuated by a very lively debate on “entrepreneurship, growth and employment” attended by the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr. Soren Pind. Participants engaged on how entrepreneurship development contributes to growth and employment, and what type of policies and support, including foreign aid, can be recommended
The public debate was an opportunity to influence how the “Growth and Employment” priority in the new strategy for Denmark’s Development Cooperation can be developed into practical initiatives. Participants included African researchers, African YEMP coordinators, entrepreneurs and members of networks, Danish and Nordic researchers. We were honoured to share our MSE Sector experiences drawn from Kenya and the East African Community Region in general.
We look forward to sharing with you the findings and recommendations from the workshop in the near future.
The objective of the workshop on Entrepreneurship Development in Africa was to share the knowledge and experiences to discuss and provide conclusions on what role entrepreneurship development has played and can play to stimulate growth and development in Africa. The aim was to provide inputs and recommendations to how entrepreneurship in Africa should be supported in the future based on the accumulated knowledge from research and practical experiences.
The meeting was punctuated by a very lively debate on “entrepreneurship, growth and employment” attended by the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr. Soren Pind. Participants engaged on how entrepreneurship development contributes to growth and employment, and what type of policies and support, including foreign aid, can be recommended
The public debate was an opportunity to influence how the “Growth and Employment” priority in the new strategy for Denmark’s Development Cooperation can be developed into practical initiatives. Participants included African researchers, African YEMP coordinators, entrepreneurs and members of networks, Danish and Nordic researchers. We were honoured to share our MSE Sector experiences drawn from Kenya and the East African Community Region in general.
We look forward to sharing with you the findings and recommendations from the workshop in the near future.
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