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| Master Trainer Developers: Ben Mwambela from Tanzania, Dr Julius Mutio from Kenya, and Geoffrey Kilonzo from Kenya. |
The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) flagship entrepreneurship initiative, "Start and Improve Your Business" (SIYB), continues to drive significant progress in promoting the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) worldwide. This week in Arusha, Tanzania, the program’s Master Trainer Development team launched an intensive Training of Master Trainers, a crucial milestone in expanding and enhancing entrepreneurial support across diverse regions. The workshop was attended by eighteen aspiring Master Trainers from Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, marking an important step toward building a stronger, more resilient MSME ecosystem.
A Global Perspective on SIYB’s Impact
Merten Sievers, the ILO’s Coordinator for Value Chain Development and Entrepreneurship and the Global Coordinator of SIYB, delivered a compelling keynote speech that illuminated the program’s extensive reach and adaptability since its inception in the late 1980s. Operating in approximately 100 countries, SIYB has empowered around 3 million entrepreneurs, with notable success stories emerging from China's rapid economic transition. Sievers emphasized the critical role of master trainers in maintaining high training standards and ensuring the program’s sustainability.
Innovative Tools and Digital Transformation
Highlighting the program’s evolution, Sievers introduced new resources designed to support SMEs in the digital age. These include the updated Expand Your Business and Digitalize Your Business packages, which guide entrepreneurs through marketing, e-commerce, and innovative digital business models. Additionally, the pilot testing of Savi, an AI-based business advisor accessible via WhatsApp, aims to provide personalized, real-time support to entrepreneurs, helping them navigate challenges and seize opportunities in a rapidly changing marketplace.
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| The keynote speaker, Merten Sievers, |
Addressing Challenges: Climate, Finance, and Market Access
Sievers underscored the importance of resilience and sustainability in entrepreneurship. The Adapt, Mitigate, Thrive framework was introduced as a strategic approach to help small businesses adapt to climate change and explore sustainable, green economy opportunities. This framework encourages entrepreneurs to identify resilient business models and integrate climate considerations into their growth strategies.
Participants actively discussed the hurdles faced by small entrepreneurs, including limited access to finance and regulatory barriers. Sievers called for robust feedback from the global trainer network to refine SIYB’s monitoring systems and training materials, ensuring they remain relevant and impactful.
Strengthening Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
The event fostered vibrant discussions on integrating SIYB into educational institutions and local ecosystems. Strategies to embed entrepreneurship training into higher education in Ethiopia and Ghana were explored, acknowledging the need for practical experience and stronger linkages with market demands. In Kenya, the Formalize Your Business initiative in Turkana County exemplifies efforts to expand outreach, especially among vulnerable communities, with calls for greater collaboration with local governments and stakeholders.
Harnessing Technology and Building Capacity
Sievers elaborated on the promising use of AI tools, such as Savi, in countries like Peru, where they have shown potential to improve working conditions and business practices. The emphasis remains on contextualizing these tools to meet local needs and ensuring adequate investment for effective deployment.
Capacity building remains a cornerstone of SIYB’s strategy. Challenges such as trainers’ lack of practical business experience are being addressed through targeted training packages like Know About Business, which equips vocational trainers and students with foundational entrepreneurship knowledge.
Collaborative Path Forward
Closing the session, Sievers called for ongoing dialogue and strategic partnerships to enhance the program’s reach and effectiveness. The collective effort of trainers, governments, and development partners is vital to creating resilient entrepreneurial ecosystems that can withstand economic and climate-related shocks.
The team of Master Trainer Developers was introduced. Dr. Julius Mutio, the Lead Master Trainer Developer and ILO Chief Technical Adviser, introduced the new Master Trainer Developers in Training: Benedict Mwambela from Tanzania and Geoffrey Kilonzo from Kenya. The two will play a vital role in developing and supporting Master Trainers, thereby contributing to the expansion of the SIYB Programme worldwide.
Looking Ahead
As the global community continues to navigate economic uncertainties and climate challenges, initiatives like SIYB are more crucial than ever. By empowering entrepreneurs with innovative tools, practical skills, and supportive ecosystems, the program aims to unlock vast potential in emerging economies.
The insights and commitments from the Arusha event signal a renewed momentum towards inclusive, sustainable entrepreneurship. With continued collaboration and adaptation, SIYB is poised to play a transformative role in shaping resilient, thriving small business sectors worldwide.
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