SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

MISSION STATEMENT

"To have an enlightened, diverse and vibrant small and micro business community in the North Central Region of Namibia ."

• Enlightened will mean that SMEs are educated and informed.
• Diverse will mean that SMEs offer a wide range of products and services.
• Vibrant will mean that SMEs are successful, growing and innovative.

Introduction

The small Business Development Centre is part of the University of Namibia's Oshakati Campus. It is based in northern Namibia.

The Centre assists local small businesses in the Oshana region in areas such as

• Business planning & registration
• Financial planning
• Book keeping
• Many other activities

The small Business Development Center is an integral component of developing the Northern Regions small businesses and micro business communities.

The SBDC primarily focuses on:

• Training emerging and existing SMEs
• Provide capacity building to Business Service Providers (BSPs)
• Developing materials and systems to support SMEs, BSPs and microfinance institutions
• Supporting NGOs and CBOs on management and income generating activities
• Carrying out socio-economic feasibility studies

In all instances a needs assessment exercise is carried out to ensure that the specific needs of each individual or group is met.

The SBDC generally uses its own trainers to deliver workshops, however in some instances we invite academics and industry experts to assist.

Eighty per cent of our training is outreach and is usually held at venues identified by the participants and their community leaders.

ETAMEKO

Can we help you?

If you are an existing small business owner who would like help and advice on running your business, then we can help.
If you are thinking about setting up your own small business, then we can help you too.

Ohatu dulu oku ku vatela?

Services SBDC Offers

SBDC offers two courses: Start your Business, and Improve your Business. In addition to these courses, sBDC also offers a confidential counselling service.

Omayambidido haa yandjwa

Start your Business

The course is aimed at people who would like to start their own business, but need help and advice on how to do it. The course covers:

• Identify markets, suppliers, competitors
• Identify start-up costs
• Develop a marketing strategy
• Determine selling prices
• Simple stock control
• Understand the need for record keeping
• Identify sources of funding
• Write a business plan

Litotela ongeshefa yoye

Improve your Business

The course is aimed at people who are already in business, but need help and advice on how to improve it. The course covers:

• Identifying business strengths & weaknesses
• Identify expansion opportunities
• Understand your business records
• Monitor your stock control
• Improving your marketing strategy
• Improving business management
• Improving operating procedures
• Identify sources of funding
• Develop your business plan

Courses are usually carried out at UNAM Oshakati Campus. However, special arrangements can be made for large groups (15 or more people) - training can be carried out in a more convenient location, for example in a local councilors office, youth center, or community hall.

Xumifakomesho (nawapaleka) ongeshefa yoye

Confidential counselling

Follow-up confidential one-to-one counselling is offered to participants of the courses. Counselling can cover any area from business start-up to expansion, and usually includes:

• Advice on business planning
• Advice on marketing strategies
• Detailed advice on funding sources
• Detailed cash-flow forecast & analysis
• Detailed Profit/Loss forecast & analysis

Eenghundafana dopaumwene

Counselling is normally carried out at UNAM Oshakati Campus, but if necessary arrangements can be made to meet at your business location.

Ninga ekwatafano nafye

Successes

Over the years we have had many successes, below we have highlighted some of our most recent accomplishments.

• Assisting in the establishment of DAPP (Development Aid from people to people) Small Business Centre

• Training and mentoring micro finance institutions at Eenhana under the Commonwealth Youth Credit Initiative and the Ministry of Youth & Sport

• Working with the Ongweadiva open air market traders in setting up systems for a micro - credit scheme, enabling their members to apply for business development loans

• Running a Youth Programme on National Broadcasting Cooperation radio on "Business Start Up and Management" every Monday at 15:00 hrs

• Supporting the development of twenty project management modules which are now used by a number of CBOs and NGOs

• Facilitating the Valombola Vocational Training Centre's five year strategy planning workshop and plan of action

Contact Us

If you are interested in benefiting from any of the courses or services that the sBDC has to offer, then please contact us for more details on course dates, venues and prices.

Mr. N. Haukongo
Tel:+264-65-223-2255