The graduands in a group picture with Ms. Angela Mensah-Poku, Director, Vodafone Business Solutions and Professor Matthew Tsameny, Executive Director CEIBS Africa.
Vodafone Business Solutions, in partnership with China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), has successfully implemented the first ‘SME Masterclass’ programme which has benefitted 50 SMEs.
The beneficiaries, selected from the winners of SMEGA 2017 and loyal customers, went through weeks of training in finance, digital marketing, entrepreneurship and innovation, human resource, tax and corporate governance, SNIIT and pension.
The beneficiaries, at a short ceremony at CEIBS, were presented with certificates and souvenirs from Vodafone Business Solutions.
Professor Matthew Tsameny, Executive Director CEIBS Africa, who spoke to DAILY GUIDE after the ceremony, praised the students for their commitment and dedication to the programme.
“We had people who were motivated from the beginning and knew what they were looking for to transform their business so they took the whole exercise very seriously,” he said.
Prof Tsameny, who explained the importance of the course to the growth of SMEs, said one of the challenges facing business owners is the lack of exposure.
“Most SMEs operate in silence but they have through the training been able to connect their businesses,” he added.
Angela Mensah-Poku, Director, Vodafone Business Solutions, in her remarks, expressed her delight at the achievement of the beneficiaries, especially since it was the first time such an initiative was being implemented.
“If the country is to grow SMEs who drive the economy through teaching them something they did not know before, then we are committed to that.
“We started small, and next year the plan is to triple it and impact more people and the eco system,” she said.
“So if we have educated 50 entrepreneurs they will go away and teach 50 other people and that is the only way we can really impact the eco-system.”
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri