UNIDO’s BIC Programme is an impact-oriented, pro-poor initiative that caters to the needs of rural entrepreneurs. The BICs provide ICT-based information, training and Internet access to MSMEs on a commercial basis. Other major benefits for rural entrepreneurs are ICT support, entrepreneurial advice and unprecedented access to new markets, technologies and services. With the support of UNIDO, BICs sign cooperation agreements with institutions that provide information content.
As a pilot project, eight BICs have successfully been launched in rural Uganda. Numerous countries have since requested UNIDO’s assistance in replicating and tailoring such centres to their local needs.
The programme received the “Africa Investor Award 2007” in the category best SME development initiative.
