FAQs

Successful applicants will be notified during the 3rd week of January 2019, via email, telephone call, SMS or a WhatsApp notification. The list of successful entrepreneurs will also be posted on the Olafika Website and social media platforms.

- The members of the partnership must identify and select only one partner to participate in the programme.

The Olafika SME Development & Mentorship Programme only accepts 70 entrepreneurs per year. Here are a few possible reasons why your application was unsuccessful:
– You did not complete your application form in full.
– Your business or business activity is not more than 2 years old.
– You were not clear on what you want to do with your business and what direction you want it to take.
– Your application did not meet other eligibility criteria.
– You scored low in the entrepreneurship assessment tool and/or more in the selection criteria.

Selection of the applicants will take place after the closing date of the application process. The selection process will be concluded by the Twapewa Kadhikwa Institute of Entrepreneurship & SME Development and Steering Committee appointed by the Institute, against the specified selection criteria.

You should ensure that you understand and review the selection criteria in the next programme cycle and make sure that you describe your business such that every aspect of the business or growth plan (i.e. description, target market, customer segmentation, financials, human resources etc.) is fully covered.

All applicants will be judged on 7 main criteria: - Passion: the applicant must exhibit a high and infectious level of enthusiasm towards life and their business idea.
- Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
Feasibility of the business idea. - Market Opportunity: knowledge and understanding of the market, customers and competitors for their idea/business.
- Financial Understanding: understanding of the basic financial requirements of running a business, costs and revenues.
- Scalability: demonstrates potential for replication and growth of their product or service to create jobs and wealth.
- Leadership Potential and Entrepreneurial Skills: demonstrate leadership potential capable of attracting people, customers and resources.
- Creativity & Innovation

- Yes, there is a waiting list. If any of the selected 70 do not claim their places by the set deadline, the next best entrepreneur will be chosen before the commencement of the programme cycle.
- If you are not selected, you can reapply for the next programme cycle. This should give you enough time to reflect on your entrepreneurial objectives as there may be new developments to include in the application.