ProChange Africa’s Post

According to the 2023 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor South Africa (GEM SA) National Entrepreneurial Context Index (NCI) — a measure of the favourability of the environment for entrepreneurship — SA was one of only 3 countries where all 13 enabling conditions for entrepreneurship are rated as insufficient, with scores of less than five out of ten. Two of these enabling conditions include entrepreneurial finance sufficiency and ease of access to entrepreneurial finance. Bridgement exists because we believe in leveraging the power of fintech to unlock fast, simple, and flexible access to finance solutions for growing local businesses. By eliminating complex applications and long wait times, we make it possible for SMEs to access up to R5 million in business funding in 24 hours or less. Don’t believe us? Try it for yourself. It only takes 2 minutes to apply online. #entrepreneurs #smeadvice #businessfunding – – – – – – –  Source: https://lnkd.in/dnNVgAwk

James Mwangi, CEO of Equity Bank Kenya, reminds us that success doesn't depend on abundant resources but on resourcefulness. Here are practical tips to spark business ideas even with limited means: 1. Leverage Your Skills and Knowledge: Identify your strengths and expertise. These can be powerful tools to create a business that doesn't require significant upfront investment. 2. Utilize Free and Affordable Tools: Take advantage of free or low-cost tools and platforms. From online marketplaces to social media, these resources can help you start and grow your business without substantial financial outlay. 3. Network and Collaborate: Connect with like-minded individuals and potential partners. Collaboration can provide access to resources, skills, and knowledge that you might not possess on your own. 4. Start Small and Scale Gradually: Begin with a minimal viable product (MVP) to test your business idea. This approach allows you to refine your concept based on real-world feedback without extensive initial investment. 5. Focus on Solving Problems: Identify common challenges faced by people and think of innovative solutions. Businesses that solve real problems are often more successful and require fewer resources to get started. Ready to turn your resourcefulness into a thriving business? Contact Trophy Biz Trainers for expert guidance on generating and implementing business ideas with limited resources. Let’s innovate and succeed together! #BizMotiveMonday #BusinessIdeas #Resourcefulness #TrophyBizTrainers #Entrepreneurship #KenyaBusiness

#catalyst2030 is a Global Movement of Social Entrepreneurs and Innovators working Collaboratively with communities, governments, businesses and others to change systems and advance the SDGs through collective action and bold, new strategies ♻️🌍💚 #catalysingchangeweek2024

💡 If you're working in the informal sector, where do you go to get business advice? Young entrepreneurs in Kenya’s informal sector contribute $539M to the economy every year, but often lack the support they deserve. Tips from the “formal” world don’t always apply in the “informal” sector. The world of work is changing—informal is the new normal, and MESH exists as the go-to platform for young entrepreneurs in biz to network, share knowledge, and access the support, skills, and capital they need to thrive. What sets MESH apart from other platforms is the community 🧔🏽♂️👩🏾🦰👦🏾👩🏽🦱 MESHERS treat each other with respect. They willingly offer ideas, mentorship, and feedback. They're not just proud of their success; they want to uplift others walking the same path. At MESH, we believe that those working in the informal sector understand its challenges best. That’s why peer-to-peer advice and mentorship are so valuable, and why we’re committed to creating even more opportunities for MESHERS to give back. If you'd like to support young entrepreneurs across Kenya to succeed in biz, reach out to us for a partnership opportunity! 🚀 #YoungEntrepreneurs #MESH #InformalSector

Working with local entrepreneurs through our social enterprise model allows us to reach the most rural communities in a way that also builds local, sustainable income for the people living there. But how can we support our entrepreneurs to sustain and grow their businesses? In our latest article, Thomas Nyangulu Jr writes about how we are bridging the #EnergyGap with our zero interest credit facility in #Zambia. We would love to hear your thoughts, drop them below. https://lnkd.in/ez6xqbeb

At Greenhouse Business Development, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive impactful change. 🌟 Our partnership with ABSA is a testament to this belief, as we join forces to support and empower entrepreneurs across South Africa. Together, we’re committed to providing the resources, mentorship, and financial support that startups and small businesses need to thrive in today’s competitive market. Through our partnership with ABSA, we offer a range of initiatives designed to foster growth and sustainability. From funding opportunities to specialized training programs, ABSA’s support enables us to extend our reach and enhance our services. This collaboration not only strengthens our ability to help businesses succeed but also contributes to the broader economic development of our communities. 💼 Are you an entrepreneur looking to take your business to the next level? Discover how our partnership with ABSA can benefit you. Visit our website to learn more about the programs and resources available through Greenhouse and ABSA. Together, we can build a brighter future for your business! #Partnerships #ABSA #GreenhouseBusiness #EntrepreneurSupport #BusinessGrowth #Collaboration #SmallBusiness #StartupSuccess #BusinessDevelopment #CommunityImpact #Empowerment #Mentorship #FinancialSupport #EconomicDevelopment #Innovation

In many developing economies, consumers buy essentials in the smallest quantities — like a single 🍅 tomato, one 🧅 onion, or just a spoonful of cooking oil for the day. I’ve seen it firsthand with my grandmothers in Uganda and Rwanda. This “tiny-quantity” buying reveals some unique challenges small businesses face in these markets. Key challenges include: 🍅 Low Purchasing Power: Many customers can only afford essentials in small amounts, limiting business growth. 🧅 High Property Costs: Landlord and rental issues often impact stability and small businesses closing. 🍅 Competitive copycatting one other and putting one another thus putting one another out of business 🧅 Pricing Confidence: Negotiating and setting prices that reflect value can be daunting for new entrepreneurs. 🍅 Costly Capital: Securing and moving capital is expensive and challenging. 🧅 Offering free costly samples is often a gamble to win customers but doesn't always pay off. This is where #coaching & #mentorship come in. Make it your #organization’s #end-of-year and #New #Year’s #resolution to partner with us at Grow Movement in empowering small businesses. Together, we can make a lasting impact by helping entrepreneurs build resilient and thriving enterprises, benefiting communities and fueling sustainable growth. Unlike many resolutions, this one will create measurable change. Join us in achieving it! Through guidance and support, entrepreneurs gain the confidence to pilot solutions, test new ideas, and find what works — essential steps for navigating challenges, they do not have to do it alone, we can all help. Get in touch with us, we would be delighted to hear from you, Emaii Evelyne at: evelyne@growmovement.org and visit our website at: growmovement.org

"Thank you for sharing these insights, Violet Busingye! At Grow Movement, we see firsthand how crucial mentorship and coaching are in helping entrepreneurs overcome the challenges they face. From access to funding and resources to navigating market barriers, the journey for small businesses in Africa and South Asia is not without its hurdles. By partnering to provide guidance and expertise, we can empower countless entrepreneurs to build the resilience they need to thrive. If you're inspired to collaborate to empower communities and create sustainable change for small and growing businesses, get in touch with us." #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Empowerment #SustainableChange #SmallBusiness #GrowingBusiness #StartupSupport #CommunityImpact

💼 Do financial institutions truly understand SMEs? 💭 Or do we sometimes offer solutions that miss the mark? At Old Mutual, we’re determined to get it right. Join us on 27th August 2024 for the Launch of the SME Roundtable, starting at 8 AM, where we’ll tackle these critical questions and, more importantly, provide real, actionable solutions. This isn’t just another event—it’s a movement designed to make the SME ecosystem work for you. 🌱 We’re here to listen, understand, and build long-term partnerships with SMEs. Our goal? To create an ecosystem that genuinely supports your growth and sustainability. This launch will bring together key stakeholders, from financial experts to SME founders, all working towards a common goal: your success. Whether you're an SME owner, stakeholder, or partner, this is the place to be. Don't miss out on the opportunity to shape the future of SMEs. 📅 Interested in attending the physical launch on 27/08/2024? Write to us at sme@oldmutual.co.ke—limited slots are available! 📢 For those unable to join in person, don’t worry! The event will be covered live, and we’ll share details soon. #SMERoundtable #OldMutualSME #BusinessGrowth #Partnerships #FinancialSolutions #Entrepreneurship #SMECommunity Old Mutual Kenya WYLDE International Robert Njenga Robert Ochieng Abojani Investment SME ROUND TABLE Nyawira Gachugi Lilian Okado Joram Mwinamo Tonee Ndungu Kennon Mbae Julius Ouma

On Small and Medium Enterprises Day, we celebrate the vital role SMEs play in South Africa’s economy. SMEs provide 60% of jobs and are key drivers of innovation. Supporting them means shopping locally, collaborating, and promoting their services. Let’s uplift entrepreneurs by choosing SMEs for our needs. Together, we can make a difference! Like this post if you support SMEs! #SMEDay #EconomicSupport #FemaleEntrepreneurs #ConveyancingLaw #SMEImpact #SafedaLaw #MelroseArch #LawFirmJohannesburg #JHB #PropertyTransfers