In the context of the regional chapter of the European Union (EU) funded WACOMP, 449 potential and existing entrepreneurs from West African countries received several “Start and Improve Your Business” (SIYB) training sessions between January and April 2021. By focusing on entrepreneurs operating (or planning to operate) in the priority regional value chains of WACOMP (see details in the chart below), this activity contributed to the Programme’s efforts to strengthen the technical capacity of mango, cassava, textile & garment and ICT MSMEs from the region.

The trainings were implemented by partner institutions in each country, under the supervision of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Training Center of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO). The objective was twofold: first, to introduce national entrepreneurs to the best practices for creating and running a business, thus supporting enterprise creation and growth in the different countries. Second, to certify 30 trainers from ECOWAS Member States and Mauritania according to the SIYB methodology of ITC-ILO. The national trainers facilitated the sessions as the last step of an extensive and demanding process that started in late 2020.

The 449 participants had interactive exchanges and shared experiences around modules such as « Generate your business idea », « Start your business », « Marketing », « People and Productivity », « Planning for your business » or « Costing ». Once the various trainings were completed and training certificates delivered, the entrepreneurs pointed out that they had learned a lot about entrepreneurship and the national laws in force in their fields of activity. The participants asked to be supported throughout the creation, training and management process in order to improve the performance and growth of enterprises from their countries.

National training institutions reassured WACOMP partners that the skills acquired will be used in the supervision and capacity building of entrepreneurs established in West Africa. On its side, UNIDO reaffirmed its full commitment to support entrepreneurs through the implementation of WACOMP, to develop partnerships and to continue exchanges beyond WACOMP.

UNIDO also took the opportunity to reiterate that the safety and health of the participants in these trainings was a top priority. In the current context of global coronavirus pandemic, everyone must play their full role in limiting the spread of the virus.

For more information, contact Rafik Feki (R.Feki@unido.org)