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Entrepreneurship & SME Development Academy

Empowering Entrepreneurs. Growing Businesses. Driving Economic Transformation.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the engine of economic growth, innovation, job creation, and wealth generation across Africa. Yet many businesses struggle with strategy, finance, market access, innovation, governance, and sustainable growth. Today's entrepreneurs require more than passion—they need practical business knowledge, strategic leadership, and the ability to compete in an increasingly digital and global economy.

The Entrepreneurship & SME Development Academy equips entrepreneurs, business owners, startup founders, executives, policymakers, and enterprise support organizations with the practical skills needed to build resilient, innovative, and high-performing businesses.





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About This Academy

Building Successful Businesses That Grow and Thrive

Entrepreneurship is about identifying opportunities, solving problems, creating value, and building sustainable enterprises. Whether launching a startup, scaling an SME, expanding into new markets, or transforming an existing business, success depends on sound strategy, innovation, financial management, leadership, and execution.

Our academy develops entrepreneurs and business leaders who can confidently start, manage, grow, and transform successful enterprises.

Whether supporting startups, SMEs, family businesses, cooperatives, corporate innovators, financial institutions, government agencies, or business development organizations, our programmes provide practical solutions that drive enterprise growth and economic development.

Innovation & Business Transformation

Drive innovation through digital technologies, new business models, customer-centric design, and continuous improvement.



Enterprise Leadership & Sustainability

Build resilient organizations through effective leadership, governance, risk management, and long-term business sustainability.

Entrepreneurship & Business Creation

Develop the skills needed to identify opportunities, validate business ideas, launch successful ventures, and build sustainable enterprises.

SME Growth & Competitiveness

Strengthen business performance through strategic planning, operational excellence, financial management, and market expansion.

Programmes Offered

Features that set us apart

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Entrepreneurship & Business Start-Up

Learn how to identify business opportunities, develop viable business models, validate ideas, and successfully launch new ventures.

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SME Growth Strategy

Develop practical strategies for scaling businesses, improving competitiveness, increasing profitability, and entering new markets.

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Business Planning & Strategy Development

Create comprehensive business plans, strategic roadmaps, and growth strategies that attract investors and guide business success.

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Innovation & Design Thinking

Apply innovation methodologies to develop new products, improve customer experiences, and solve complex business challenges.

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SME Financial Management

Strengthen financial planning, budgeting, cash flow management, costing, pricing, and financial decision-making for business growth.

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Digital Entrepreneurship & E-Commerce

Leverage digital platforms, online marketing, e-commerce, and emerging technologies to grow businesses in the digital economy.

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Marketing, Branding & Customer Growth

Develop practical marketing strategies, branding, customer acquisition, sales growth, and customer relationship management capabilities.

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Access to Finance & Investment Readiness

Prepare businesses to secure funding through investor readiness, financial modelling, pitching, grant applications, and business financing strategies.

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Family Business & Business Succession

Strengthen governance, succession planning, leadership continuity, and long-term sustainability of family-owned businesses.

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SME Governance & Business Resilience

Develop governance structures, risk management practices, compliance systems, and resilience strategies that support sustainable business growth.

Delivery Formats

We offer flexible learning options designed to meet organizational and individual development needs.

Face-to-Face Executive Workshops

Interactive classroom-based programmes delivered across Africa.

Virtual Instructor-Led Training

Live online sessions facilitated by expert practitioners.

Self-Paced Online Learning

Flexible digital learning through The CPD Centre Learning Platform.

In-House Corporate Programmes

Customized training designed specifically for organizations.

Executive Retreats

Immersive strategic learning experiences for senior leaders.

Institutional Academies

Long-term capability development programmes for governments, regulators, and organizations.

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Who Should Attend?


This academy is designed for:

  • Entrepreneurs
  • Startup Founders
  • SME Owners
  • Business Executives
  • Managing Directors
  • Business Development Managers
  • Innovation Managers
  • Family Business Owners
  • Cooperative Leaders
  • Business Consultants
  • Financial Institutions
  • Investment Promotion Agencies
  • Government Officials
  • Economic Development Agencies
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • Business Incubators & Accelerators
  • NGO Professionals
  • Development Partners
  • University Graduates
  • Anyone interested in starting or growing a successful business.
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Learning Outcomes


Participants will be able to:

  • Identify and evaluate business opportunities.
  • Develop practical business and growth strategies.
  • Prepare investor-ready business plans.
  • Strengthen SME financial management.
  • Build innovative and competitive business models.
  • Apply digital technologies to improve business performance.
  • Develop effective marketing and customer growth strategies.
  • Improve business governance and resilience.
  • Access finance and investment opportunities.
  • Lead sustainable and growth-oriented enterprises.
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Why Entrepreneurship and SME Development Matter

Organizations and economies that invest in entrepreneurship can:

Create Sustainable Businesses

Build resilient enterprises capable of long-term growth and value creation.

Drive Economic Growth

Stimulate innovation, increase productivity, and contribute to national economic development.

Generate Employment

Create meaningful jobs and expand opportunities for inclusive economic participation.

Improve Business Competitiveness

Equip SMEs with the knowledge and tools needed to compete in local, regional, and international markets.

Foster Innovation

Encourage new ideas, products, services, and business models that respond to changing market demands.

Strengthen Business Resilience

Prepare businesses to manage risks, adapt to disruption, and sustain growth in dynamic environments.


 

EMERGING ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SME TOPICS

Participants explore current developments including:

  • Startup Ecosystems
  • Business Innovation
  • Artificial Intelligence for SMEs
  • Digital Entrepreneurship
  • E-Commerce Strategy
  • Platform Businesses
  • Business Model Innovation
  • FinTech for SMEs
  • Green Entrepreneurship
  • Social Entrepreneurship
  • Women Entrepreneurship
  • Youth Enterprise Development
  • Business Incubation
  • Export Readiness
  • Investment Readiness
  • Venture Capital
  • Business Resilience
  • Customer Experience
  • Digital Marketing
  • SME Digital Transformation

Ready to Grow your Business?

Whether you are launching a startup, expanding an SME, supporting entrepreneurs, or strengthening enterprise competitiveness, The CPD Centre provides practical programmes that help businesses innovate, grow, and succeed in an increasingly competitive economy.


Contact The CPD Centre

Telephone: +267 396 0924

Email: info@thecpdcentre.co.bw

Website: www.thecpdcentre.co.bw


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