As part of the first phase of the NEIP Business Plan Competition, the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), together with its Private Sector Implementation Partner (PSIP) African SME Organisation under the Ministry of Business Development has contracted the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), a leading international business school to put together a curriculum and facilitators for the regional training of over 6000 business applicants.

On the 18th of December 2017, the first 700 applicants for the NEIP Business Plan Competition from Accra were trained at the National Centre for Tertiary Education. This was a successful first edition with very positive feedback from applicants. Subsequent training would be organized in Accra within the coming weeks for the remaining applicants in the Greater Accra Region.

On the 8th of January however, training will be organized in Tamale at the Radach Lodge Conference Center for all applicants within the Northern region.

Ashanti and Upper West region follows on the 10th of January with training at KNUST CCB Auditorium and the GNAT Hall respectively. Training in the Brong Ahafo and Upper East region will begin on the 12th of January 2018, at the GNAT Halls in the various capitals. All training sessions will begin at 8am prompt. Information on other regional training sessions will be made available in due time.

Businesses will be assisted based on a 4 tier SME Support Ecosystem. This includes: Advisory Services, Access to Finance (seed capital, loans, equity), Access to Market and Policy (providing a conducive SME Ecosystem).

Applicants would be thoroughly trained on developing a world standard business plan and a sustainable business model which would equip them with enough knowledge to be able to run as independent businesses. The curriculum would be available online for free download.

Applicants will receive a detailed e-mail and text message with more information on the training. This will be sent to the contact information provided by applicants on the NEIP Business Plan Competition form, which was submitted during the Call for Proposals. Also, applicants would be required to confirm their attendance through a link which would be included in the e-mail and text message.

It is very necessary that entrepreneurs, existing and non-existing businesses both traditional and Innovation Driven Enterprises receive adequate training to equip them with the required tools to be able to compete with world standards. It is therefore mandatory for all applicants to attend training in order to qualify for the next stage of the competition.

For more information on the NEIP Business Plan Competition, applicants could visit www.africansme.org ,www.neip.gov.gh or call 0501398824 0299106714