Intensive Six-Day Training Equips Field Teams for Crucial Role in Botswana’s FinScope MSME Survey
AfricaScope South Africa, in collaboration with FinMark Trust, has successfully completed the training for the FinScope MSME Survey in Botswana. The training, which was led by experienced professionals Bob Currin and Katiso Rachabane, was conducted with minimal disruptions, ensuring the program stayed on schedule. The focus of this training was to prepare the field teams for their crucial role in gathering data for the survey, which is set to begin on October 2, 2024.
The FinScope MSME Survey plays a critical role in assessing the financial inclusion landscape in Botswana, tracking the efforts of both the public and private sectors. The survey aims to collect data from 3,000 respondents across the country, providing insights that will drive evidence-based interventions for the MSME sector.
During the training, enumerators were briefed on the importance of collecting high-quality data to ensure the survey results are accurate and actionable. Emphasis was placed on the role that the data will play in fostering financial inclusion and supporting the growth of MSMEs in Botswana.
The training took place over six days, from Monday to Saturday, covering various essential aspects, including technical instruction, fieldwork structure, and a piloting phase. A total of 16 supervisors and 72 enumerators were trained, with additional enumerators prepared as a contingency for potential dropouts before the fieldwork begins.
From Mock Interviews to Pilot Surveys: Comprehensive Training Prepares Teams for Data Collection
Daily registration ensured all participants were present, and supervisors were allocated to specific enumerators based on their regions of operation. Each team member was thoroughly briefed on their roles:
- Supervisors will be responsible for logistical coordination, quality control, and daily reporting.
- Enumerators were trained to conduct interviews, maintain data quality, and follow the guidance of their supervisors.
Six Short-Term Experts were also involved, delivering presentations on various aspects of the training, which provided both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
The training was also attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Statistics Botswana, and the Bank of Botswana. This engagement highlights the importance of the FinScope MSME Survey in shaping policy and interventions aimed at boosting financial inclusion for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Botswana.
The training also included sessions on practical skills such as map reading, listing processes, and understanding the survey questionnaire. Mock interview sessions were conducted to prepare enumerators for real-world challenges, including managing uncooperative respondents and working with those facing time constraints.
A pilot survey was conducted in two phases. The first phase focused on listing businesses, while the second tested the questionnaire itself. While the teams successfully completed the listing of businesses, they encountered several challenges, such as respondent fatigue, refusal to participate, and complaints about the length of the questionnaire. Fortunately, key errors in the questionnaire were identified and corrected during this phase.
Field Teams Poised for Successful Launch of FinScope MSME Survey in Botswana
With fieldwork set to commence in early October, the teams are well-prepared to tackle the real-world challenges they may face. The training has laid a strong foundation for the successful execution of the FinScope MSME Survey, and the collected data will be instrumental in shaping Botswana’s future policies on financial inclusion.
AfricaScope South Africa remains committed to its role in driving data-led insights across the African continent, helping institutions like FinMark Trust gather the information they need to empower MSMEs and improve the livelihoods of millions across Botswana.
