The Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) is an initiative of the School of Finance and Banking (SFB) intended to serve the prospective entrepreneurial community within a wider institutional framework of making SFB contribute to the government vision. The Centre has been designed having in mind needs of managers/owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who are willing to improve their managerial and entrepreneurial abilities. The Centre is intended to enrich Rwanda’s potential entrepreneurs with business knowledge that will assist them to run their entities more effectively and thus contribute to economic and social development. CED serves as the focal point in linking the SFB to the real business world in order to make a significant contribution to enterprise development in Rwanda.

Vision

The vision of the CED is to be a Centre of Excellence which fosters entrepreneurial skills development and creates a vibrant and competitive SME sector in Rwanda. The CED’s vision is suitably aligned with the vision and mission of SFB as well as the vision of Rwanda for a private sector-led economy.

Mission

The CED will promote business development through providing high quality and affordable entrepreneurship training, value added services and research.

Objectives

The CED will focus on the following objectives :
i. To be an innovative and self-sustaining enterprise managed on sound business principles.
ii. To contribute to the fulfilment of the educational and training needs of the small and medium enterprise sector.
iii. To keep abreast of current and future trends within the SME sector by means of industry participation and ongoing research.
iv. To ensure that the CED becomes and remains a world class education, training and research facility.

Programmes and Services

The centre provides high quality capacity building ; value added services and serves as a resource centre for small and medium enterprises in Rwanda.

Programme structure

CED offers a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management (CEM) to the owners/managers of SMEs who have not been adequately exposed to small business management skills. The certificate programme is structured in six modules. Each module is offered separately and on completing the six modules one is awarded the CEM.

1. Introduction to Entrepreneurship (3 days)
This module starts with an overview of the key elements of any business, and how these parts fit together. It generally examines what it means to be an entrepreneur, the entrepreneurial mindset and the key success factors in entrepreneurship. The module helps participants to understand the process, activities and complexities of starting and running a successful business venture.

2. Developing a Successful Business Plan (Building a Business plan) (3 days)
This session introduces participants to business planning. The key objective is to help entrepreneurs to rigorously think through the entrepreneurial process and develop a winning Business Plan. This helps them to examine key issues from opportunity recognition to analysis of the business idea and the key elements of an effective business plan. The module equips participants with skills to put together a good business plan. It also covers the venturing process, elements of business planning and putting it all together in a selling business plan.

3. Developing Financial Records (4 days)
This module introduces the basic concepts of keeping basic accounting records and financial management. It covers the following key aspects : importance of good records and requirements for basic book keeping, basic record keeping, basic accounting, financial records and management of resources. Participants learn the steps taken in building an effective accounting system.

4. Organisation and Human Resource Management (2 days)
This session covers the basics of organizational management and Human Resource Issues as they relate to small business firms. The module covers a wide range of aspects including : team building, managing growth and creating a positive work environment. Participants learn key human resource management practices like ; human resource planning, hiring for success, managing human resources, setting performance objectives, appraising performance and sustaining performance.

5. Developing Excellent Customer Service (2 days)
This module exposes entrepreneurs to the crucial role of customer service for business success. Participants learn the importance of customer service and how to develop a customer focused attitude. Essential customer focus aspects discussed include : service excellence, delighting the customer, effective communication, identifying and retaining valuable customers.

6. Sales and Marketing (3 days)
This module introduces participants to the concept of marketing and how to develop marketing strategy for SMEs. The module enables entrepreneurs to realise the role of marketing in business success. They are guided on how to develop a marketing strategy and plan as well as a sales plan. The module also exposes participants to general selling principles and techniques that help to raise and sustain sales performance. The module enables participants to appreciate the importance and techniques of building lasting sales relationships with their customers.
Value Added Services
CED provides value added services which include consultancy and business counselling. In an attempt to facilitate SME networking, all participants in the CEM will become automatic members of the CED Business Club. This membership will enable them to get access to an array of different services provided by the CED. The success of these services will be achieved through the development of a strong network of consultants and service providers. In the near future, the CED will be organising seminars/workshops on contemporary issues concerning SMEs in Rwanda.
CED plays an advisory role to the Student Entrepreneurship Club of the SFB which is also providing a platform for the students to interact with the business community and access first hand information about the prospects and challenges of owning and managing a business. The Members of the Student Entrepreneurship Club are encouraged to take up internships in SMEs. The CED will provide an opportunity for students to learn more about enterprise development, and at the same time offer services at reasonable rates.
The Knowledge Centre
The CED knowledge centre will seek to provide thought leadership in conducting research on key issues confronting the SME sector. The centre will develop a database of information pertaining to the SME sector, which will be accessible to SMEs.
Other Planned Courses
The second level of training will target entrepreneurs who have a rather stable and growing business and need special training to develop strategies for growth and investment, diversification and innovation.
1. Building Businesses that Last
In this course, entrepreneurs will find out the key factors for long term success in business. It will examine common characteristics of successful companies.
2. Business Ethics
During this session, participants will be familiarised with the concept of business ethics. This course will address social responsibilities such as duty of care, employee welfare and interest of the client. Participants will also learn how to compete effectively with business ethics.
3. ICT
In this course, participants will learn how to make optimum use of technology in order to gain competitive advantage and contribute to the growth of their business. This session will provide an overview of the most common software packages associated with SME’s like spreadsheets, database management and word processing.
4. Making operations cheaper and faster
This course will introduce participants to the concept of operations management. They will learn the importance of strategy in establishing a business process. Issues to highlight here include management of inventory, supply chain management, quality management and capacity planning.
5. Regulatory, legal and tax matters
This session will seek to provide the entrepreneurs an appreciation of tax expectations. They will learn basic principles of taxation and establish the duties and responsibilities they will have to hold. It will also introduce them to the different legal forms of businesses that exist.
6. Strategies for growth
This course will equip the participants with necessary knowledge to innovate and to choose which business and product to invest in. They will learn the importance of building a sound strategic plan and how to manage competitive threats.