Overview

Follow-up training to Business Experts was designed based on gaps identified from two sources; 1) the balance sheets and cash flow statements sent through to DCL by BDSPs, and 2) from communication by email and phone between DCL and BDSPs relating to work they were assigned on preparing balance sheets and cash flow statements for clients of their choice, work to prepare own short biographies and observations from communication by emails. From the first source it was noted that none of the BDSPs had used the 8-steps process with accompanying templates given to them by the International Trainer and so only few sent in documents they had prepared for past MSMEs prior to the training in January 2020.

Description of the Service Provided

The service was delivered in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic thereby navigating through series of measures and precautions put by the government and organizations to reduce risks of being infected with the virus. DCL assigned a team of 4 senior consultants in order to manage the appointments with senior leaders of commercial banks that were selected. The team held 2 physical meetings to introduce the ENGINE Mkopo Kocha programme with two banks at Head Office in Dar es Salaam, while holding 4 other meetings with other banks virtually. Specifically:

• DCL designed and developed 3 sets of training decks; 1) understanding how small businesses relate to financial institutions and how creditors assess applicants on credit readiness, 2) practically how to follow the 8-point process and overcome challenges, 3) how to help small businesses prepare required documents including business plan and cash flow statements;
• DCL trained Business Advisors using development materials but focused on hands-on techniques to unlock challenges experienced in the past trainings; and
• Set-up and cause meetings between trained Business Advisors and Financial Institutions to start and agreed on ways to work together to bring more small business to access credit.