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<p>The Start Up! Initiative was an idea worked up by DFID staff to improve the provision
of financing and capacity building activities for early-stage firms in sub-Saharan
Africa. Last year a decision was taken by the Department not to take the programme
forward to implementation as a multi-country initiative. However, although the multi-country
programme is not going ahead, the DFID country offices in Kenya and Ghana continue
to work on providing direct support to entrepreneurs, particularly in the agribusiness
and clean energy sectors.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In Ghana, DFID is supporting a programme
to equip micro and small enterprises with the necessary skills and resources to improve
their business plans and internal operations. The programme provides grant funding,
mentoring and business development services to 500 of the most promising firms. In
Kenya, DFID has helped to launch the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC) to support
the development of innovative ‘clean-tech’ businesses and technologies. The KCIC provides
technologists, entrepreneurs and new ventures with technical assistance for capacity
building and access to early-stage financing to overcome market barriers, with the
aim of rapidly scaling and deploying innovative products and services.</p>
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