Empretec Gambia

Empretec-Gambia project is an integrated capacity building programme that provide demand-driven training and business development services to existing entrepreneurs and aspiring  entrepreneurs, employers and employees of both private sectors firms and civil servants and as well as farmers.

The main objective of the programme is to unleash the growth potential of Micro, Small and Medium Size Enterprises (MSMEs) and farmers, inculcate entrepreneurial mind set in key decision makers of private firms, senior government officials and employees of various institutions to improve performance on the job and facilitate expansion and sustainability in their businesses. This is done through an integrated entrepreneurship training workshops and a comprehensive range of business development services.

The project is being implemented with the application of the Empretec model- already tested and proven in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East under the guidance of UNCTAD. This model utilizes a refined and targeted set of tools that includes the transformation of attitudinal and behavioural mindset to enhance entrepreneurial competencies.

The Empretec programme in The Gambia is anchored at GIEPA and started in September 2014. The centre has conducted 21 training sessions across the country, trained 540 entrepreneurs and 160 farmers up to date. We are providing Business advisory services to 331 existing and start-up businesses for this year. The advisory service is provided by 63 BDS advisers spread across the country.

The first monitoring and evaluation reports indicate that 60% of businesses receiving BDS advisory are now keeping basic books of accounting. 69 business owners have open business accounts and 17 are in the process of opening business accounts and 57 people have formalised their businesses with the registrar of companies (registered with Single Window Business Registration) whilst 20 are processing their registrations. Many of the businesses have reported an increased in sales of around 10% and another 10 new businesses have been created.

With these gains, we believe that we can work together to strengthen the capacity and consolidate the performance of these businesses coupled with that of your noble institution to promote the growth and development of these businesses and that of your institution.

Objectives

1. To build in the culture of intra entrepreneurs in all relevant staff to breed efficiency, innovation and high job performance.

2. Build in the competencies and behaviors of successful entrepreneurs in relevant staff to promote corporate entrepreneurship (create workers who behave and act like successful entrepreneurs)

3. Develop a clear picture with relevant staff, the significant of relationship management and its overall impact on the output of their institutions.

4. Create an eye opener which will lay a foundation for continuous growth, sustainability, high profits and good will in targets institutions.

5. Train women and women kafoos to enhance their entrepreneurial skills in order for them manage their businesses immaculately to yield high growth, profitability and sustainable businesses.

6. Build the capacity of clients of commercial banks to change their attitude towards entrepreneurship in order to become more profitable and realized sustainable growth which will subsequently have a multiplier effect on the overall financial performance of the banks.

7. Introduce the farmers to the concept of value addition on different lines of products and services that can be created from the main crop grown in the Gambia.

 Target Beneficiaries

Empretec Gambia believes that, this is a program that every single individual aspiring to become successful in life must undergo as the training modifies behaviors for sustainable personal and business development. However, for the purposes of specifity, measurability and focus we concentrate on the following targets groups;

1. Key decision makers in government and non-governments institutions

2. Staff of parastatals and financial institutions

3. Clients of financial institutions

4. Farmers and farmer base organisations.

5. Existing and aspiring entrepreneurs

6. Women and youth kafoos