NCBA has announced the graduation of thirty-eight entrepreneurs from the third cohort of the NCBA-SBS enterprise development program. It is run in partnership in partnership with Strathmore University Business School (SBS).
The program which runs for sixteen weeks cuts across most sectors of the economy. It is designed to equip small and medium enterprises ( SMEs) with the tools and skills to identify and seize business opportunities, foster innovation and unlock their business potential. It also nurtures socially responsible and viable businesses, thereby fostering successful business entrepreneurship in the region.
Some of the topics covered include emerging business opportunities, developing a competitive strategy, financial records management, understanding the regulatory environment. Others are developing a competitive business plan, product design, development and Innovation, business pricing strategy and how to make business operations efficient.
To be eligible for the program, one must be an NCBA customer with an active business account that has been operational for at least six months. Secondly, the entrepreneur should have a business that has been operating for two to three years, employs more than three people, and has an annual turnover of Kshs. 3 million or more. Thirdly, he or she should be the primary decision maker in the business and the majority shareholder.
Alongside the programme, NCBA Bank and Strathmore University also collaborate to develop and implement various capacity building initiatives to empower SMEs and micro, small and medium enterprises ( MSMEs) business growth under the Strathmore Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Centre. The initiatives include : international business trips, networking/thought leadership forums, business training boots camps, conferences and trade expos.