Kenya

The manager of the mSPARK program presents on October 28, 2021 about using digital technology to help accelerate the growth of micro-enterprises.

This article, published by Agrilinks, details the Alliance for Inclusive and Nutritious Food Processing (AINFP)—a partnership between USAID, TechnoServe and Partners in Food Solutions (PFS) that aims to create a more competitive food-processing sector in Africa—and shows how partnerships with local food processing businesses can help them improve food safety, even amid an unprecedented pandemic.

Cyprian Amakalu, mSPARK Programme Manager at TechnoServe, talks about the Micro-Enterprises Strengthened for Pandemic Adaptation and Resilience in Kenya (mSPARK) programme, launched by TechnoServe and the Mastercard Foundation, which gives digital and financial support to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to help them survive the pandemic.

In East Africa, formal employment opportunities are often scarce, and entrepreneurship presents a path toward economic independence for many young women and men. TechnoServe is helping small shop owners in Kenya, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire become more profitable by connecting them with the knowledge, training, and tools they need to become successful retailers.

TechnoServe helps young people in the developing world access the information, capital, and markets they need to overcome tremendous obstacles and create their own economic opportunities. Today we are sharing the story of Mary Wacera, a 30-year-old entrepreneur from central Kenya who created her own successful agribusiness after participating in a TechnoServe program.

In Kenya, entrepreneurship offers a pathway out of poverty for many young people like Irene Minyao. However, without the right skills and support, running a small business for the first time can be a daunting task. TechnoServe recently piloted a new digital platform that will help entrepreneurs gain the business management skills they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive environment.

Micro-retailers play an important role in local communities by providing essential goods and services. However, these entrepreneurs also face numerous obstacles when running their businesses, and those challenges only became more acute during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enter Judith Namayi Amboka, a community mobilizer dedicated to helping entrepreneurs in her community access the knowledge and tools they need to thrive.

Leaders from TechnoServe and Citi share lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic in this article for Business Fights Poverty