Multinational - SME Business Linkage Program - Sahel SME BLP

The Sahel SME Linkage programme proposes to implement the Africa SME Linkage Programme (Africa SME BLP) in the G-5 Sahel countries. Africa SME BLP aims to strengthen support for SMEs in Africa through an integrated approach. The programme identifies the main constraints to SME growth - business environment, access to skills, markets and finance - and proposes global solutions tailored to each country. These include building the technical capacity of SMEs and improving their access to markets and financing mechanisms in order to increase their productivity and create jobs for women and young people. The programme costs $4.2 million and is financed by Pillar III of the Bank's Transition Support Facility. It will be implemented by the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) of the G5 Sahel over 3.5 years. The programme is structured around four components: (i) developing a favourable environment for businesses, including those run by women; (ii) building the capacity of SMEs and access to high-quality skills; (iii) facilitating access to markets by creating commercial links with large companies; and (iv) strengthening access to finance by ensuring the availability of adequate funding tailored to the needs of SMEs, including those run by women.