In the world of business, beginnings are never easy, however, Africa presents some unique challenges to new businesses due to the uniqueness of the continent’s emerging markets.

The entrepreneurial drive in Africa is significantly larger than the rest of the world with new businesses springing up every day. In 2014, a report created by the GEM ( Global Entrepreneurship Monitor) showed that sub-Saharan Africa had the highest number of people involved in the early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA), with Zambia and Nigeria leading the world rankings.

It is important—now more than ever—to examine the entrepreneurship ecosystem around the continent to highlight and mitigate the challenges inhibiting growth and development.

The major challenges that start-ups face in Africa include:
• Start-up capital
• Infrastructure
• Government policies/enabling environment
• Competition
• Market Access – Intra Africa Trade

This is where The SME Challenge comes in! It is a system aimed at supporting and highlighting promising businesses by giving them marketing and business consulting services for free.

The challenge highlights one winner in the end and probes the viability of their business with a business case study, working together with them to increase profitability and sustainability.

We will also take a close look at the target audience and build a step-by-step marketing and operational pathway to not only reach thier niche market but convert them into paying clients.

tothe business online, the winner also gets an interactive and functional website built for them.

Who is Eligible?
-All businesses with the exception of bitcoin, multi-level marketing, betting, alcoholic beverages, tobacco/cigarette companies, are eligible.
Businesses who have been active for at least one year.
Businesses should have at least two social media business pages.

Applications open on 12th October and closes on 12th November 2020 after which 20 applicants will be shortlisted to go through a mini-training and the final winner announced on 23rd November.

Interested businesses can apply here: https://www.bloopglobal.com/smechallenge or call/Whatsapp 233245600275 or 233277667561 (Ghana) or 2348099400754 (Nigeria) or send an email to ask@bloopglobal.com