2017 ICT4D Conference

There has been an extensive focus on providing support for entrepreneurs in developing economies seeking to provide solutions that have a social impact. This has seen millions of dollars given to different areas around the world and my experience with the developments in the larger Sub-Saharan Africa has left most of the intended beneficiaries unable to capitalize on these resources. The most adversely affected entrepreneurs are those I describe as 'low-profile entrepreneurs' who do not have a formal education or access/knowledge to internet. This disproportionately places them at eternal disadvantage both in accessing resources and growing their businesses to reach a larger audience and realize greater profitability. I have in the course of the last five years worked with low-profile-entrepreneurs and realized that what is critical for these change-makers is building their capacity to be able to raise the profile of their ideas/interventions/solutions to reach a larger audience locally and internationally. This is an attribute of business growth that has been overlooked. Any entrepreneur would know that without growth of business to newer users it is virtually impossible to grow a business to a higher pedestal. Modern times have a very special need for digital knowledge and application of various social media marketing tools to ensure this critical growth. This means that it is not enough to give grants to low-profile entrepreneurs, it is imperative that their capacity is built for them to be able to access local and international platforms of integration, relationship building, and mentorship, an attribute that is not easy given most of the entrepreneurs do not have a formal education nor ICT knowledge. This session therefore shares specific tools, proven-approaches and innovative ways that the profile of low-profile entrepreneurs can be increased. This is the only way to make granting interventions targeting rural communities around the world to be both sustainable and effective.