The project is aimed at preparing an accessible and engaging research paper to serve as the main background document and to stimulate discussion and debate in the “Promotion of SMEs: SME Networks and Business Linkages in Africa” workshop to be held in Addis Ababa in the last quarter of 2011. The workshop is one of the outputs of the Programme Implementation Plan of the Governance and Public Administration Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) as part of UNECA’s mandate to promote private sector and enterprise development in Africa.