Data Collection Survey on SMEs/ Entrepreneurs Support in African Countries

Africa Region (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya)

Japan International Cooperation Agency

January – June, 2018

Position

Team Leader / SME Policy, SME Finance and Finance Inclusion

SDGs

In August 2016, the Japanese Government announced at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in Nairobi, Kenya, that the promotion of structural economic reform through economic diversification and industrialization was an urgent priority. It is generally recognized that private sector development and human resource development are key issues for this region. At present, lack of business skill is serious, and access to finance for SMEs is limited, making the sustainable expansion of business difficult. The private sector is unable to contribute significantly to economic growth and the creation of decent work. Responding to this situation, JICA wished to establish a platform to enhance the international competitiveness of area industries using the “Kaizen” approach, and to promote economic diversification and industrialization, create job opportunities, and support innovative human resource development. In order to make practical recommendations for effective cooperation regarding SMEs and Entrepreneurial Development, and to improve financial access for SMEs and Entrepreneurs, JICA conducted a basic data collection survey on Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya.