Institute of Certified SIYB Trainers - ICST

🚀 A New Chapter for Entrepreneurship and SIYB in Rwanda!

The Start and Improve Your Business Programme continues to transform entrepreneurial ecosystems across the world—and now, Rwanda is part of this global journey!

With implementation in over 140 countries and translation into more than 40 languages, SIYB has become a trusted foundation for supporting MSMEs, strengthening business development services, and empowering entrepreneurs across sectors.

This week marked a major milestone: Rwanda now has its very first SIYB Master Trainer—Penny Burabyo 🎉

This achievement is a big step toward building a strong, sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country. With leadership from Penny and collaboration with partners like Christine from Uganda, the future looks incredibly promising.

Together, we are working towards:
✅ Strengthening BDS programmes
✅ Building MSME capacity
✅ Supporting bankable business plans
✅ Growing sustainable, job-creating enterprises

Congratulations to everyone involved in this milestone! The journey has just begun, and the future of entrepreneurship in Rwanda is bright. 🌍✨

🚀 INSTITUTIONALISING SIYB IN AFRICA – CALL FOR MASTER TRAINERS

Are you a University, TVET Institution, Government Department, NGO, or Development Partner committed to building sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystems?

The ILO–SIYB Training of Master Trainers (TOMT) is coming to Nairobi, Kenya (27th April – 8th May 2026) under the theme:
“Institutionalising the SIYB Programme"

As we continue championing the integration of the ILO–Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) methodology into institutions of higher learning and enterprise ecosystems, this programme presents a strategic opportunity to:
✅ Develop internal capacity to train, coach, and certify SIYB Trainers
✅ Embed structured entrepreneurship systems within university and TVET curricula
✅ Strengthen incubation centres and student enterprise programmes
✅ Safeguard quality assurance and sustainability of SIYB implementation
✅ Position your institution as a regional centre of excellence in entrepreneurship development

🎓 Who Should Attend?
• Certified SIYB Trainers (GYB, SYB, IYB)
• Experienced SIYB Trainers meeting Master Trainer eligibility criteria
• Institutions seeking to reduce reliance on external consultants and build internal systems

📍 Programme Structure
1. 10-Day Intensive Workshop (Nairobi)
2. Six-Month Structured Mentorship
3. Formal Certification as SIYB Master Trainer

Upon certification, Master Trainers are expected to conduct TOTs, mentor Trainers, and drive institutionalisation within their organisations.

💼 Participation Fee: USD 1,900
Includes:
• Official SIYB materials
• 13 days’ accommodation
• Daily refreshments & meals
• Six months structured post-training mentorship

📩 Expression of Interest: [email protected]
Click on this link to apply: https://forms.gle/z4A81k6RX1j5fkuPA
🗓 Deadline: 30th March 2026

Africa does not lack ideas.
We need structured systems, certified leaders, and institutional capacity to transform ideas into sustainable enterprises and decent jobs.

Let us build Master Trainers who will build Trainers… who will build entrepreneurs… who will build Africa.


—
Geoffrey Kilonzo
ILO Master Trainer Developer
CEO, ICST Enterprise Developers

SACCOs in Kenya are more than financial institutions — they are engines of economic empowerment.

With membership drawn largely from farmers, entrepreneurs, and the wider business community, SACCOs carry a powerful mandate: to provide education and capacity-building that is practical, relevant, and directly responsive to real business challenges.

That’s where structured business training makes the difference.

We are partnering with SACCOs to strengthen this mandate by equipping their teams with the ILO’s Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) content and participatory training methodology. This approach enables SACCO staff to deliver high-impact, structured business training to their members — strengthening enterprise management, improving financial discipline, and enhancing sustainability.

When members build resilient and profitable businesses:

✔ Deposit mobilization increases

✔ Loan performance improves

✔ Institutional growth becomes sustainable

Last week, we concluded a successful Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for AMICA SACCO in Murang’a — a KES 6 billion institution whose membership is largely composed of farmers and entrepreneurs.

By investing in internal training capacity, AMICA is now better positioned to provide structured business development support to its members and deepen its impact within the agricultural and enterprise ecosystem.

Strong SACCOs build strong businesses. Strong businesses build strong economies.

The single most powerful asset we all have is the mind - Robert Kiyosaki

Elevate your training and coaching career with the highly sought-after ILO Certification program, "Start and Improve Your Business" (SIYB). To register, use this link: https://forms.gle/vwdQDRUX4RSexCH56

Dear Partners, SIYB Trainers, and Valued Stakeholders,

As we welcome the dawn of a new year, the Institute of Certified SIYB Trainers (ICST) extends our heartfelt wishes to you for a happy and prosperous New Year 2025!

May this year be filled with endless opportunities, growth, and success in all your endeavors. We are grateful for your continued support and dedication to our mission, and we look forward to achieving great things together in the coming year.

Here’s to a year of collaboration, innovation, and mutual success!

Warm regards,

The SIYB Game is a training resource that provides hands-on experience in managing a business within a classroom setting. Its goal is to allow seminar participants to make decisions akin to those encountered in the real business world and to explore the results of those choices. This simulation mirrors a genuine business environment and comprises four modules. We will be facilitating and training on Modules 1 and 2 of the SIYB Game on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, from 9 AM to 5 PM at The IBIS Hotel in Nanyuki. Kindly register using this link: https://forms.gle/zw6qu8w5WqWqEmcG6

The SIYB Game is an engaging training resource that provides a hands-on experience in managing a business within a workshop setting. It offers seminar participants the opportunity to make decisions akin to those encountered in the real business world and to explore the outcomes of those choices. This simulation mirrors a genuine business environment and consists of four modules. We will conduct training for the SIYB Game, with Module 1 on Friday, September 29th at 2 PM, and Module 2 on Saturday, September 30th at 2 PM, 2024. Register now using this link: https://forms.gle/Ls4fQHAVFuBAeiJD7

Customer service plays a crucial role in shaping customers' perceptions of a business and can significantly impact customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty. By prioritizing exceptional customer service and creating a customer-centric culture, businesses can differentiate themselves from competitors and build long-lasting relationships with their customers. Ultimately, investing in customer service can lead to sustainable business success and competitive advantage in today's dynamic market landscape. This is a Master Class you can't afford to miss: Click on this link to register https://forms.gle/9Uffuyzv17N8m9cSA or visit https://www.academy.icst.ke/

The SIYB Game is a training resource that offers a hands-on experience of managing a business within a training room setting. It aims to give seminar participants the chance to make decisions similar to those they would face in the real business world and to navigate the outcomes of those choices. This simulation replicates a genuine business environment and consists of four modules. We will be playing and training on facilitating the SIYB Game, Module 2. Register Now, using this link https://forms.gle/Kgvv8ErLAuSLBCkr7