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"helping Small Business Owners Scale the Steps to Business Success"

"helping Small Business Owners Scale the Steps to Business Success"
Symbol of Hope for Small Businesses in East Africa

Sunday, December 18, 2011

THE 12TH, EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY MSE JUA KALI/NGUVU KAZI EXHIBITION COMES TO AN END

The Micro and Small Enterprises Sector Associations representing the informal Economic sector in the East African Community Region along with the five member states of the East African Community (United Republic of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) has been hosting one of the biggest regional Exhibitions in the East African Community that ended on 11th December 2011.

The Exhibition brought together more than 600 small business owners who showcased their services and products from the five East African countries. The theme of the Exhibition was “Accelerating Innovations and Investment in the Jua Kali/ Nguvu Kazi Sector for EAC Regional Competitiveness”

Among The objectives of the Exhibition are:

• Bridging the gaps in trade, culture and social economic imbalances in the region.
• Creating awareness of the sector’s potential in producing and providing essential affordable goods and services, respectively
• Creating instant expanded marketing outlets for the sector’s products/services
• Creating expanded investment opportunities for the regional up-coming/emerging entrepreneurs
• Initiating dialogue between the entrepreneurs and sharing knowledge in technology and business techniques
• Facilitating sector mobilization and empowerment at regional level
• Encouraging and facilitating local and regional tourism
• Accord the regional artisans an opportunity to participate in regional programmes.
• Enhancing personal interaction for extended social and business relationships.
A report on the above Exhibition will be circulated after adoption by the EAC Jua kali/Nguvu Kazi Steering Committee.

We wish to thank all those who participated and contributed towards making the 12th EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Regional Exhibition a success.

Regards
Richard N. Muteti
Regional Project Manager, 12TH EAC Jua Kali/ Nguvu Kazi Exhibition

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The 12th East African Community Regional Jua Kali/ Nguvu Kazi Exhibition

The 12th East African Community Regional Jua Kali/ Nguvu Kazi Exhibition starts in Kampala, Uganda on the 4th to 10th December 2011.

The theme of the Exhibition is “Accelerating Innovations and Investment in the Jua Kali/ Nguvu Kazi Sector for EAC Regional Competitiveness”
The range of new and innovative products on display include

among others; indigenous Agro-ptocessing technologies, stone and wood works; wall drapes, textiles, natural medicine and honey, hospital beds, plastics, energy saving stoves, warmers, chippers, ovens, sculptures, processed foods and leather products among others

Friday, November 18, 2011

Workshop on “Promotion of SMEs: SME Networks and Business Linkages in Africa” 17th-18th November 2011

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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