The Effectiveness of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Training Offered by SME Service Providers in Namibia

Despite the comprehensive business support and advisory services offered to small and medium enterprises in Namibia, the effectiveness of these programmes remains unclear and the rate of business failure continues to increase, with the concomitant high rate of unemployment. This paper assessed the effectiveness of business management and entrepreneurship training offered by small and medium enterprise service providers in Namibia. It examined the relevance of the training and assessed whether the training had helped small and medium enterprises to improve their ability to increase sales, profits and number of employees. A sample of 179 enterprises was used in Katima Mulilo, Rundu and Windhoek. The analysis of variance was used to determine if categorical variables were related, and to determine statistically significant differences at a 95% level of confidence. The training was effective as respondents' training needs were met. The training programme also led to an increase in turnover (sales), profits, and, an increase in the value of business assets. There were, however, statistically significant differences between the means of the impact of the business management and entrepreneurial training programme and the variables of town, age and skills. Training can be linked to business development services, such as microfinance, mentoring, coaching services and technical skills training. It can assist the government, educators, trainers, financiers, consultants and other stakeholders to provide appropriate training support to enhance entrepreneurial capacity in Namibia.________________________________________