Africa
New Program to Help 28,000 Kenyan Micro-Enterprises Respond to the COVID-19 Crisis
Nairobi, Kenya – This month, international nonprofit TechnoServe and the Mastercard Foundation announced the launch of the Micro-Enterprises Strengthened for Pandemic Adaptation and Resilience in Kenya (mSPARK) program, a one-year partnership to help 28,000 entrepreneurs respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenya’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector…
Smart Fixes for Smart Shops: Transforming Communities Through Micro-Retailers
Mom and pop shops are the economic – and often social – backbone of Nairobi, especially in the city’s informal settlements. Store owners like Cosmas are learning simple business fixes that can help their stores, and the communities they serve, to thrive.
Survey Results: Effects of COVID-19 on East Africa Coffee Farmers
In partnership with Laterite, we conducted a survey about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on coffee farming in Ethiopia and Kenya in June 2020. Discover key results in the infographics below and attached. View All Infographics …
In South Africa, Fashion and Entrepreneurship Offer Women a Way Out of Poverty
As a young girl, Thato Ditsele dreamed of owning her own fashion business. However, life as a young entrepreneur outside of Johannesburg was not easy, and she ran into challenges along the way. Eventually, her dream came true and she was able to start her own clothing line. Through TechnoServe’s Box Shop program, she gained practical knowledge about finance, marketing, and branding, which helped her increase sales by 50%.
Successful Farming: Reducing Post-Harvest Loss Through Cottage Tomato Processing
In Nigeria, nearly half the tomato harvest is lost before ever reaching consumers. Promoting the domestic cottage processing sector has the potential to significantly decrease post-harvest loss while also improving farmer livelihoods and increasing food security for vulnerable communities.
Survey: COVID-19 Challenges and Responses for African Food Processors, Second Edition
A survey of food processing firms in seven African countries reveals the challenges facing the sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Kenya, Small Shops Facing their Own Challenges Give Back to the Community
For the past three years, TechnoServe has partnered with Citi Foundation to celebrate Global Community Day — an opportunity to give back to local communities through service. This year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Citi is partnering with TechnoServe’s Smart Duka program to distribute care packages to children’s homes and senior homes in Nairobi, Kenya.
Improving Smallholder Farmer Livelihoods in Majang
TechnoServe is working to improve the livelihoods of smallholder coffee, honey, and spice farmers in Ethiopia's Majang Zone while enhancing forest conservation.
