New online programme targets budding entrepreneurs

Invest in Africa (IIA-Kenya) has partnered with the African Management Initiative (AMI) to launch an online learning academy to help SMEs on the African Partner Pool (APP) gain expertise to scale and grow their businesses.

During the one year program, SMEs will have access to a library of courses, practical tools and social features. They will also be guided through key steps of developing their businesses, understanding market demand, their customers, cost-effective product; developing, testing and refining their business model and how to get funding for the business.

Speaking during the launch, IIA Country Manager, Wangechi Muriuki said: “It’s a great day for SMEs in general as we officially launch the academy. We believe that the training courses and tools offered by AMI will be integral to SME development Kenya. This is because from our research, we found out that access to skills and training is as important as access to finance and markets.”

Her sentiments were echoed by AMI CEO and founder, Rebbeca Harrison who spoke of the impact that AMI is creating by ensuring that organizations across Africa build motivated, productive and effective businesses.

“This partnership will see us provide relevant skills training to SMEs on Invest in Africa’s platform. This will add onto the over 25,000 people across Africa that we have already reached,” she said.

To access the platform, SMEs will have to self-register on the site and use a pre-determined code custom made for the IIA SME community. They can then access the Learning Academy page at https://appkenya.com/@learning-academy and click on Sign Up for Learning Academy button. The courses are designed and offered in partnership with some of the biggest business schools in Africa.

These include Strathmore Business School, Lagos Business School and the Gordon Institute of Business Science. The academy has been made easily accessible for entrepreneurs even if they have limited access to the internet. It is focused on simple downloadable tools, a low-bandwidth online platform which is easily accessible on mobile phones, in-person sessions and the opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs.