Francis Zikusooka

I am a specialist in Inclusive Finance (Access to Finance) & an M/SME Business Advisory Services Expert. As a Financial Inclusion specialist, I give financial institutions (Commercial Banks, MFIs, MDIs, and SACCOs) technical support to mainstream M/SME financial access and inclusion, within their priorities, at the strategic level with support to the operational level. I give TA support to bank/MFI officers in designing specific innovative transactions, projects and initiatives that will contribute to improved access to finance by M/SMEs including requisite performance monitoring and reporting frameworks. As a Business Advisory expert, I deliver solutions to start, grow, expand and make M/SMEs profitable, enhance their productivity, and enhance their competitiveness. I have worked with dozens of start-ups (M/SMEs) on a range of Business Advisory services including business planning, access to finance, strategic reorientation and formulation, market research, feasibility studies, financial management, business process improvements; streamlining of operational efficiencies, corporate restructuring, investment appraisals; structuring financing options; business skills training, market linkages, due diligence, asset valuations, start-up mentoring, business coaching, and incubation. I have skills in the unlocking of constraints across agribusinesses value chains, leveraging interventions that lead to increased profitability, sales, revenue, and competitiveness for agribusiness enterprises. I also give technical assistance and advisory services to projects playing a "facilitator" role for these enterprises.