Theme: MoU Signing Ceremony to set up IT Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs Training Facility in Butere-Mumias

Date: December 5, 2013

Time: 11am – 12.00 noon

Venue: IREN HQ, Nyaku House Hurlingham, Nairobi

Mr. James Shikwati, Founder Director, the Inter Region Economic Network (IREN) and Dr. Tim Wambunya, Bishop, the ACK Diocese of Butere will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an IT Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs Training Center in Butere. IREN has already trained FIVE trainers and will lease out IT equipment to the center. The ACK Diocese of Butere will provide training rooms at its AICMAR center.

The objective of this MoU is to enable youth and existing enterprises in Western Kenya to tap into IREN’s vast international network without having to travel to Nairobi. The training is tailored to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises keen to grasp fundamental business concepts; use IT to communicate, write business plans; plan business operations, and master finance skills. The training is relevant to people aspiring to start a business but lack necessary skills as well as those in business and wish to take their business to the next level. The church offers an excellent and additional platform to reach out to Western Kenya community keen to grow their enterprises.

Western Kenya’s rich cultural and agricultural potential coupled with improved infrastructural connectivity offers young people an opportunity to grow business enterprises. Already, the region is bustling with Boda Boda transport activities; expansion in retail outlets and tourism potential. The outcome of this MoU will be to mentor potential and existing business leaders to tap into the region’s challenges and transform them into opportunities.

About IREN

IREN is a leading independent African think tank that promotes ideas and strategies geared towards causing prosperity in Africa through free enterprise and sound public policy. IREN is the publisher of the online - The African Executive Magazine and runs programs that include; Eastern Africa Sister Cities (City Twining program); Enactus (University business leadership program); and Cotton Made in Africa (initiative for fashion made in Eastern Africa).