Support for microenterprises : lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa

Microenterprises account for an important part of the economic activity of sub-Saharan Africa. Yet the small size, informal structure, and remote location of many microenterprises have hampered support programs from helping them realize their full economic potential. This report describes a number of assistance programs for microenterprises in Africa. It notes that there is no universal method for the development of microenterprises. The author therefore provides a conceptual framework to help formulate development programs that are tailored to local conditions