1.0 Overview
On August 24, 2024, Tech Herfrica, alongside Yarfita Foundation, conducted transformative digital and financial literacy training in Kaduna South LGA, empowering 155 rural women entrepreneurs. This initiative, part of the Chat for Women’s Livelihood Accelerator program, was designed to equip these women with essential digital and entrepreneurial skills for business growth.
2.0 Training Delivery
The training was delivered in two formats to accommodate different levels of access:
- Chat Service on WhatsApp: 70 women entrepreneurs participated in the training via Tech Herfrica’s WhatsApp chat service. This approach allowed them to learn directly on their mobile devices, ensuring practical engagement with the digital tools being taught.
- Community Leader-Led Sessions: The local community leader facilitated the training for the remaining women who could not access the course on their phones. These women attended sessions where they watched practical demonstrations on a projector screen, enabling them to learn in a collaborative environment.
3.0 Training Focus
The training covered a comprehensive set of topics, including:
- Introduction to Technology: Understanding the basics of digital tools and their impact on business.
- Benefits of the Digital World: Exploring how digital platforms can expand business reach and operations.
- Bookkeeping: Learning how to maintain accurate financial records for business growth.
- Using Smartphones Effectively: Leveraging smartphone functionalities for business purposes.
- Creating and Managing Email Accounts: Setting up and using email accounts for professional communication.
- Social Media for Business: Utilizing platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to connect with customers and promote products.
- Online Safety: Learning how to protect personal and business information online.
- Google Search: Using Google effectively for business-related inquiries.
- Using WhatsApp for Business Growth: Employing WhatsApp Status and Voice Notes to Engage Customers.
4.0 Impact and Outcomes
The training resulted in significant improvements in digital literacy and entrepreneurial skills among the participants as well as income increase due to sales facilitated via WhatsApp:
- Smartphone Usage: 127 women (82%) now know how to use smartphones to make money online safely.
- Facebook Account Creation: 151 women (97%) can now open a Facebook account.
- Google Search: 105 women (68%) are now confident in using Google to search for information relevant to their businesses.
- Online Buying and Selling: 130 women (84%) can now buy and sell products online.
- Email Account Creation: 145 women (94%) successfully learned how to open an email account.
- Bookkeeping: 150 women (97%) now know how to keep simple business records.
- WhatsApp for Business: 150 women (97%) can effectively use WhatsApp Status to attract new customers and use Voice Notes to grow their businesses.
- Online Safety: 100 women (65%) now know how to avoid being scammed online.
- Overall Confidence: 150 women (97%) now feel confident in using technology to enhance their businesses.
- Trade Facilitation: In addition to the comprehensive training, we have established a community of entrepreneurs from different communities for trade facilitation. This network is currently facilitating trade among women, helping them to improve their income and further integrate into the digital economy.
Before this training, less than 30% of the women knew how to perform these tasks.
5.0 Lessons Learned
- Leveraging Smartphone Access: Training women who already had smartphones but lacked the skills to use them effectively led to the immediate application of new knowledge, enhancing engagement and results.
- Community Leader Involvement: The involvement of local community leaders was crucial in mobilizing participants and ensuring strong attendance. These leaders also played a key role in facilitating learning for those without direct access to the chat service.
- Hybrid Training Approach: Combining online training with in-person sessions, led by trained community leaders, proved more effective than solely online or independent learning methods.
- Incentives for Participation: Offering data and transport stipends ensured full participation and maintained focus, as participants knew they would not face additional costs for attending the training.
6.0 Sustainability Strategy
To sustain the impact of this program, Tech Herfrica plans to:
- Adapt to Diverse Communities: Continue using a blended approach to online and in-person training, tailoring content to cultural, linguistic, and economic contexts.
- Strengthen Partnerships: Build stronger collaborations with local organizations to enhance the reach and effectiveness of the program.
- Empower Local Facilitators: Invest in training local champions to deliver and adapt the program within their communities.
Measure Impact: Implement continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure the program’s success and ongoing improvement.
7.0 Conclusion
The training in Kaduna South LGA has equipped 155 rural women entrepreneurs with the digital and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in today’s economy. Through a sustainable approach, this initiative is paving the way for continued business growth and economic independence for these rural women. Tech Herfrica is currently working on plans to scale to other communities in Kaduna.