The Association is a not-for-profit organization with the purpose to promote the methodical approach called SME Business Training and Coaching Loop and thereby contributing to inclusive economic growth, employment promotion and income increase, particularly of poorer populations.
The Association aims at
- Promoting the SME Loop internationally
- Organizing experience exchange and international contacts among SME Loop practitioners
- Facilitating access to the methodology and resources related to the SME Loop internationally
- Certification of national and international SME Loop Senior Coaches and SME Loop Master Coaches
- Maintaining a database of licensed SME Loop coaches
- Contributing to quality assurance of the SME Loop
- Contributing to product development and setting quality standards for SME Loop products
- Positioning of members to actively contribute to integration of the SME Loop into projects by providing training and advisory services
- any other activities designed to establish and expand SME Loop implementation and promoting members interests in implementation.
Who are the members ?
Here you can find our list of members, divided by roles :
- International Master-Coaches
- National coaches
- Trainers
- Coordinators
- Backstoppers
Our association also includes other persons that support SME Loop implementation. If you’re willing to join us, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Who are the board members?
Verni Vijayarajah – Chair Person
Experienced private sector development consultant with over 25 years of expertise in SME training, start-up support, and project management. With 7 years of experience as an SME Loop Master Coach, I bring specialized knowledge in strategic capacity building for Business Development Services (BDS), focusing on areas such as business management, energy efficiency, digitalization, and climate resilience. As Chairperson of the International SME Loop Association, I lead a global network that empowers SME Loop Master Coaches and small to medium-sized enterprises with the resources and support necessary to succeed in competitive markets.
My core competencies include strategic planning, project management, gender transformation, and social enterprise development, delivering tailored, impactful solutions across a variety of sectors and regions. I am deeply committed to fostering growth and innovation through expert guidance and customized strategies that drive sustainable development.
Samson Kougbadi – Deputy Chair Person
I am currently a Technical Policy Advisor for SME Promotion at the ProPME project of GIZ Benin.
I have dedicated my career to the development of the private sector, gaining extensive experience in entrepreneurial approaches, SME support, startup promotion strategies, and capacity building for business support actors. Additionally, I have a solid understanding of project monitoring and evaluation approaches, with seventeen (17) years of professional experience, including 4 years in the field and 13 years at national and international levels.
As an International Master Coach for SME Loop since 2017, I have contributed to the development of several SME Loop training programs and coordinated numerous missions for the development of SME Loop. I have carried out several support missions for the implementation of SME Loop for various GIZ projects in Francophone Africa.
Besides SME Loop, I am also a reference in E Loop and Start-up Loop.
Toni Hassenmeier – Treasurer
I work as International Freelance Consultant working in the fields of Support to Micro-, Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises, Small-scale Food-processing, Common Welfare Oriented Development, Capacity Development, Change Management and M&E.
Over the years, I have gathered extensive experience working in private sector and public sector institutions, covering start-up and global corporate environment as well as working with ministerial departments. The geographical focus of work has been on the African continent, mostly Southern and Eastern Africa.
The central approach of my work centres around the principle that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” (article 1 of the universal declaration of human rights)
Raphaël Kraif – Secretary
I got to know the SME Loop in Benin when working in the project of the Green Innovation Centres in the Agricultural and Food Sector (GIC). From 2020 to 2024, I have continuously worked on the upscaling and standardization of the approach. This also includes the adaptation of the SME Loop to social enterprises, which led to the successful piloting of the Social Enterprise Loop in 2023.
Trained as SME Loop International Master Coach in 2021, I am now working as freelance consultant on the SME Loop and other topics such as sustainable economic development and the promotion of the Social and Solidarity Economy.
Abdel Karim Koda – Co-Secretary
I am a financial economist by training, holding a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Project Management and in the process of defending a PhD thesis in Rural Economy. Passionate about entrepreneurship. I have a rich professional career of more than 20 years in the field of support for MSMEs. Since 2019, I have been an Expert in SME Promotion and Head of the SME Capacity Building Component on GIZ’s Small and Medium Enterprises (ProSMEs) project. But before that, I worked for several international NGOs still in the field of support and consulting in the management of SMEs. I also served as Executive Director of the Local Economy Office (GEL) of North Benin, a structure for the promotion of SMEs.
I am an International SME Loop Master Coach and hold the position of Co-Secretary of the International SME Loop Association.
International SME Loop Association e.V. 