Cuban Entrepreneurs Seek International Support to Thrive

In an effort to bolster their survival, 26 Cuban entrepreneurs have received specialized training in business management and sustainability through the UNDP's Inclusive Value Chains for SDGs program. This initiative also provided technical assistance to 46 companies across Pinar del Río, Villa Clara, Holguín, Granma, and Santiago de Cuba.

This latest edition brings the total number of trained individuals in Cuba using these methodologies to 43, as reported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Cuba.

Project "My Entrepreneurship" Gains Traction

The initiative is part of the "My Entrepreneurship" project, executed in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Planning, its National Institute of Economic Research, local governments, and the UNDP, with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

The program employs three international methodologies—"En Marcha," "Starting Your Business," and "Growing Your Business"—implemented across 16 countries to enhance the business models of small local enterprises.

Empowering Women and Youth in Business

Among those benefiting is Madelaine Rojas, a vendor in Caibarién, Villa Clara, whose variety goods stall was selected for the pilot experience. "It has been incredibly helpful because I had little to no knowledge on the subject. Now, I keep track of sales, know clearly what sells best, and can categorize it by age groups and preferences," she stated.

Data from the UNDP reveals that three out of four ventures chosen for the program are led by women, and one in three is owned by individuals under 35.

Significant Training and Financial Support

Since its inception, the project has trained 628 individuals through seven open-call courses in the original four provinces, with 46% of participants being women and 42% young people, focusing on areas like law, finance, marketing, and business management.

"We worked with them in various ways, starting with personal, one-on-one exchanges. We assessed the strengths and weaknesses of the ventures and developed an improvement plan to address these weaknesses," explained Miguel Rodríguez, one of the ten advisors trained in the "En Marcha" program across the participating provinces.

The project also saw the launch of the first microcredit product for small and medium enterprises, called "Crece," through the Banco Popular de Ahorro in Bayamo.

The pilot phase concluded with 70 loans totaling over 15 million Cuban pesos in six months, benefiting 50 enterprises, and later expanded to Pinar del Río and Santa Clara.

Challenges and Opportunities for Cuban Private Sector

This support comes at a critical juncture for Cuba's private sector. The private sector experienced its first historical decline in active businesses in 2025 since its legalization in 2021, with a net closure of 816 businesses, amid a backdrop of daily power outages, inflation, wholesale trade restrictions, and extensive inspections.

Despite these challenges, the private sector accounts for roughly 30% of national employment and over 50% of retail trade, making it an essential economic pillar for thousands of Cuban families.

In June, the Cuban regime announced new regulations for the private sector, removing the cap of 100 workers per company and allowing individuals to own multiple businesses, though the regulatory environment remains uncertain for entrepreneurs.