1.0 Overview
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, Tech Herfrica, in partnership with Denuola Care Foundation, conducted a transformative digital and financial literacy training program for 151 rural women entrepreneurs in the Bwari Area Council, located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This initiative, part of the Chat for Women’s Livelihood Accelerator program, aimed to equip participants with the essential skills needed for business growth and economic empowerment.
2.0 Training Delivery
The training was delivered through two primary formats:
- Chat Service on WhatsApp: 131 women participated via Tech Herfrica’s WhatsApp chat service, allowing them to engage directly on their mobile devices.
- In-Person Sessions: For those lacking smartphones or with inadequate devices, local community leaders conducted in-person sessions, ensuring all participants could benefit from the training.
3.0 Training Focus
The program was specifically designed to empower women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, reach new customers, and increase their income. The key areas covered included:
- Introduction to Technology: Understanding the basics of digital tools and how they can be leveraged for business expansion.
- Benefits of the Digital World: Exploring the potential of online platforms to reach broader markets and grow customer bases.
- Bookkeeping: Learning to maintain accurate business records to track financial performance and plan for growth.
- Effective Smartphone Use: Utilizing smartphones as powerful tools for marketing, sales, and customer engagement.
- Creating and Managing Email Accounts: Setting up and using email for professional communication, customer outreach, and accessing business opportunities.
- Social Media for Business: Harnessing the power of social media platforms, like Facebook and WhatsApp, to attract new customers, advertise products, and build brand presence.
- Online Safety: Educating participants on how to protect their businesses and personal information from online threats.
- Google Search: Using Google to find business-related information, market trends, and expansion opportunities.
- WhatsApp for Business Growth: Maximizing WhatsApp features such as Status, Broadcast Lists, and Voice Notes to connect with customers, promote products, and boost sales.
Additionally, 100 women joined a WhatsApp group for trade facilitation, further supporting their integration into the digital economy.
4.0 Impact and Outcomes
Before the training, less than 30% of the women were familiar with the digital tools and concepts covered. Specific areas showed even lower familiarity. However, the post-training evaluation revealed significant growth across all areas:
- Smartphone Usage: Initially, only about 5% of women could use smartphones to make money online safely. After the training, 96% of them could do so, marking an improvement of over 1800%.
- Facebook Account Creation: Approximately 25% of the women knew how to open a Facebook account before the training. This figure increased to 96%, resulting in an improvement of over 280%.
- Google Search: Around 20% of the women were confident in using Google for business information pre-training. Post-training, this number rose to 96%, showing an increase of 380%.
- Online Buying and Selling: Initially, only about 15% of the women knew how to buy and sell products online. This percentage surged to 96% after the training, reflecting a rise of 540%.
- Email Account Creation: Before the training, about 18% of the women could set up email accounts. Afterward, 96% had this ability, indicating a growth of over 430%.
- Bookkeeping: Only 12% of the women maintained business records before the program. This increased to 96% post-training, representing an improvement of 700%.
- WhatsApp for Business: Initially, 22% of the women effectively used WhatsApp Status and Voice Notes for business. This number grew to 96%, showing an improvement of over 330%.
- Online Safety: Knowledge of how to avoid online scams was initially at 10%. After the training, 96% of the women had this knowledge, reflecting a rise of 860%.
- Confidence in Technology: Pre-training, about 28% of the women felt confident using technology for their businesses. This confidence grew to 96%, resulting in an improvement of 240%.
Trade facilitation: 100 women joined a WhatsApp group for trade facilitation, further supporting their integration into the digital economy.
5.0 Lessons Learned
- Smartphone Access Utilization: Training women who already had smartphones but lacked skills led to significant improvements.
- Community Leader Involvement: Local leaders played a crucial role in mobilizing participants and facilitating learning.
- Hybrid Training Approach: Combining online and in-person sessions proved highly effective.
- Incentives for Participation: Providing data and transport stipends ensured full participation and focus.
6.0 Sustainability Strategy
Tech Herfrica plans to:
Adapt to Diverse Communities: Continue using a blended approach, adapting content to different contexts.
Strengthen Partnerships: Enhance collaborations with local organizations.
Empower Local Facilitators: Invest in training local champions.
Measure Impact: Implement ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure continuous improvement.
7.0 Conclusion
The training program in Bwari Area Council has demonstrated the transformative power of digital literacy in empowering rural women entrepreneurs. By equipping them with essential skills, Tech Herfrica has not only enhanced their ability to leverage technology for business success but has also fostered a stronger, more connected community of women entrepreneurs. As Tech Herfrica continues to expand its reach, the lessons learned from Bwari will inform future initiatives, ensuring that more women across Nigeria and Africa can benefit from similar opportunities.