Small businesses are engines of job creation and economic growth in many low- and middle-income countries. We create sustainable pathways out of poverty by empowering entrepreneurs and providing them with the tools and knowledge to succeed.
TechnoServe’s Smart Duka program in Kenya exemplifies this approach. The program empowers small shopkeepers by providing business training, access to finance, and connections to suppliers. Smart Duka has helped increase shop owners’ revenues by an average of 30%.
TechnoServe initiatives like Smart Duka can help prepare small business owners to run profitable enterprises. Sylvia Nyambura, an entrepreneur in Muchatha, Kenya, initially struggled with keeping business records, analyzing her local market, and managing waste effectively. After participating in the Smart Duka program, she learned responsible waste management practices, improved record-keeping, and diversified her revenue streams.
As a result, her daily sales doubled, enabling her to pursue personal goals such as enrolling in a business management program and moving her family to a better neighborhood. Sylvia’s story demonstrates how targeted support can transform small businesses and improve livelihoods.