A new online course from the International Trade Centre (ITC) is now available, aiming to train at least 5,000 entrepreneurs in East Africa, providing small businesses with practical and high-impact knowledge.
The EU-EAC MARKUP II Academy offers a diverse catalogue of courses tailored to the evolving needs of entrepreneurs. This first week of November marks the addition of a new course developed specifically for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to strengthen their financial skills and prepare to engage financiers and investors.
The new course is a collaboration between the The European Union - East African Community Market Access Upgrade Programme (EU-EAC MARKUP II) and the SME Trade Academy.
‘SMEs have strong growth potential when equipped with the right resources, but limited knowledge on how to navigate and access finance and investment options often creates barriers,’ said Mumbi Maina, ITC Access to Finance Lead. She encourages entrepreneurs to register to the course and learn how to upscale their businesses. ‘The Access to Finance virtual learning space bridges this gap, offering free resources to help SMEs prepare for and engage successfully with diverse capital providers.’
The course focuses on practical approaches to identifying suitable financing options, preparing investment-ready proposals, and establishing effective communication with potential investors. It also includes real-world case studies and hands-on exercises to help participants apply financial concepts directly to their business contexts.
The academy is accessible to current exporters, early-stage exporters, prospective exporters, supply chain operators as well as business support organizations willing to leverage its content to support SMEs.
Different learning paths
Some courses of the EU-EAC MARKUP II Academy are open to all small businesses, while others are designed for specific sectors, such as coffee or packaging. The platform also serves as an entry point to the one-year Diploma Programme in International Trade, open to participants from selected countries.