Small business training in Zimbabwe: run it better, then grow
Your business is trading, but are you making the profit you should? Start with your growth strategy and business plan, then fix the areas that hold you back: marketing, costing, records, stock, people and going digital. One course at a time, on your own business.
Proven training, used around the world
Our start-up, Improve and Expand courses are adapted for Zimbabwean conditions from the International Labour Organization’s Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) programme, one of the largest business management training programmes in the world, and are delivered by SMEAZ trainers certified in it.
Owners who took this training have started businesses, created jobs and raised their profits. Read the ILO’s 2025 success stories →
Start here: strategy and plan
Every member begins with these two courses. They are free for Standard, Small Enterprise and Medium Enterprise members.
1. Growth Strategy
Understand how businesses grow, identify the stage yours is at, set your vision and choose the milestones that get you to the next stage. About 5 hours.
Self-paced online: Available now Start the course
Webinar or live class: Live classes Choose how to attend
2. Develop Your Business Plan
One concise business plan for a business that is already trading, with a workbook that does the calculations. About 16 hours.
Self-paced online: Available now Start the course
Webinar or live class: Live classes Choose how to attend
Not a member? Each course is US$50.
Then improve one area at a time
Six Improve Your Business modules, plus Digitalise Your Business. Take only the ones your business needs, in any order. Each ends with an action plan for your own business that closes the gaps at your stage of growth and prepares the business for the next stage.
People and Productivity
Hire the right people, manage them well and raise productivity. About 12 hours.
Self-paced online: Available now Start the course
Webinar or live class: Live classes Details and booking
Marketing
A complete marketing strategy: niche, Position, the 7 Ps, promotion and customer retention. About 12 hours.
Self-paced online: Available now Start the course
Webinar or live class: Live classes Details and booking
Costing
Know what each product costs, price for profit and find your break-even. About 9 hours.
Self-paced online: Available now Start the course
Webinar or live class: Live classes Details and booking
Record-Keeping
Simple records of every dollar, a monthly profit and a Balance Sheet a lender will accept. About 12 hours.
Self-paced online: Available now Start the course
Webinar or live class: Live classes Details and booking
Buying & Stock Control
Buy better, keep Stock Cards and reorder levels, and account for every item of stock. About 12 hours.
Self-paced online: Available now Start the course
Webinar or live class: Live classes Details and booking
Business Planning
Analyse last year, manage risk, and plan next year’s sales, costs, profit and cash. About 12 hours.
Self-paced online: Available now Start the course
Webinar or live class: Live classes Details and booking
Digitalise Your Business
Get found, sell, get paid and deliver online, and build a digital plan for your own business. About 13 hours.
Self-paced online: Available now Start the course
Webinar or live class: Live classes Details and booking
What it costs
| Self-paced online | Webinar | Live class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth Strategy | Free for members / US$50 | Free for members / US$65 | US$25 / US$75 (1 day) |
| Develop Your Business Plan | Free for members / US$50 | Free for members / US$65 | US$50 / US$100 (2 days) |
| Each Improve Your Business module | US$40 / US$50 | US$55 / US$65 | US$90 / US$100 (2 days) |
Where two prices are shown, the first is for paid-up Small Enterprise, Medium Enterprise and Corporate members, and the second is for everyone else, including Standard members, Start-up members and non-members. For Growth Strategy and Develop Your Business Plan, members are Standard, Small Enterprise and Medium Enterprise members: the course and its webinars are included, and a live class is US$25 a day.
Members get more than a lower price. On the Small Enterprise membership (US$10 a month) a member consultant follows up your action plans with you every month, and the courses link straight into your growth plan.
Three ways to learn
Self-paced online
On your phone or computer, in short sessions, whenever suits you. An AI coach comments on your answers and a SMEAZ consultant reviews your work.
Best for: busy owners, people outside Harare, and anyone who prefers to work alone.
Webinar
Everything in self-paced, plus live group webinars on Zoom with a certified trainer: ask your questions, discuss your work and learn with other owners.
Best for: people who want a trainer and a class without travelling.
Live class
Everything in self-paced, plus training days at a venue with a certified trainer, printed manuals and catering.
Best for: people who learn best face to face and want to meet other owners. A class runs when it fills; you register first and pay once the date and venue are confirmed.
Certificates that mean something
Every course gives you two certificates, each with a number anyone can check on our website.
- Certificate of Completion: when you finish the course and your work is approved.
- Certificate of Competence: when you have put it into practice in your business, signed by the business owner or managing director. This is the one that shows a changed business, not just attendance.
Send your team
The Improve and Expand courses are also built for the people who run your business day to day: supervisors, bookkeepers, sales and administrative staff. Each person works on your business, not a textbook case, and earns a certificate in their own name once the improvement is in place. We invoice the business, at the rate for its membership.
For five or more staff we can run the course for your business alone. Message us on WhatsApp for a quote.