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dc.contributor.advisorAlex (Sandy) Pentland.en_US
dc.contributor.authorThiam, Ibrahimaen_US
dc.contributor.otherSloan School of Management.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2007-11-16T14:18:36Z
dc.date.available2007-11-16T14:18:36Z
dc.date.copyright2007en_US
dc.date.issued2007en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/39534
dc.descriptionThesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2007.en_US
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 49-51).en_US
dc.description.abstractSmall and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have proven their dynamism in West Africa. They are perceived by policy makers as an important reservoir for growth. The African Development Bank considers they represent over 90 % of business and provide about 50% of GDP and employment in Africa. Despite the consensus on the role of SMEs in these emerging markets, West African SMEs still face many constraints in their development, particularly in accessing financial and other types of resources. This thesis analyses the causes of the constraints faced by small enterprise in countries member of the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union. It also looks at stakeholders engaged in transforming the status of SMEs. After diagnosing the status of SMEs in West Africa and identifying the stakeholder involved in SME development, the research analyses the limitations of top down public policy approaches that prevailed in most attempts to assist SMEs. It explores new approaches for SME development particularly the strategy of business to business linkage which can bring new and more sustainable dynamics to SMEs growth. Finally the research looks at current trends in the microfinance sector and suggests how a disruptive strategy could position these financial services providers to find new growth opportunity in the SMEs market.en_US
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityby Ibrahima Thiam.en_US
dc.format.extent51 leavesen_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisherMassachusetts Institute of Technologyen_US
dc.rightsM.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.en_US
dc.rights.urihttp://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
dc.subjectSloan School of Management.en_US
dc.titleUnlocking the potential of small and medium sized enterprises in West Africa : a path for reform and actionen_US
dc.title.alternativeUnlocking the potential of SMEs in West Africa : a path for reform and actionen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.description.degreeM.B.A.en_US
dc.contributor.departmentSloan School of Management
dc.identifier.oclc173994446en_US


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