By: Robert
Kwaku Annor
Sierra Leone has concluded
the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) Training of Trainers programme aimed
at strengthening the country's entrepreneurship support ecosystem through
enhanced business development capacity.
The programme was jointly
organized by Felei TechCity and the Ministry of Communication, Technology and
Innovation (MoCTI), with support from the International Labour Organization
(ILO).
The training brought
together 30 professionals drawn from nine districts across Sierra Leone,
including business development practitioners, government officials,
representatives from innovation and incubation hubs, microfinance institutions,
and private sector organizations.
According to the organizers,
the participants included 10 women, five government representatives, five
delegates from innovation and incubation hubs, 15 business development
professionals, and representatives from financial institutions and private
enterprises.
The SIYB programme,
developed by the International Labour Organization, is an internationally
recognized business management training initiative designed to equip
entrepreneurs with the knowledge and practical skills needed to establish,
manage, and expand successful businesses.
Built around practical
learning and structured methodologies, the programme has been implemented in
more than 100 countries and is widely used to strengthen entrepreneurship
development and support small and medium-sized enterprises.
Officials said the newly
trained facilitators will now return to their respective organizations and
communities to deliver the programme to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs,
expanding access to quality business development services across the country.
The initiative is expected
to contribute to the growth of stronger and more sustainable enterprises by
improving the capacity of institutions and professionals that provide
entrepreneurship support.
