1.0 Overview
On August 28, 2024, Tech Herfrica, in collaboration with Yarfita Foundation, conducted a transformative digital, financial, and entrepreneurship skills training in Sabon Gari LGA, Kaduna State. This initiative, part of the Chat for Women’s Livelihood Accelerator program, was specifically designed to equip 105 rural women entrepreneurs with the essential skills needed to grow their businesses and participate effectively in the digital economy.
2.0 Training Delivery
The training was delivered through two tailored approaches to accommodate the diverse needs and access levels of the participants:
- WhatsApp Chat Service: 85 women participated in the training via Tech Herfrica’s WhatsApp chat service, which allowed them to engage directly with digital tools using their smartphones. This approach ensured practical, hands-on learning.
- Community Leader-Led Sessions:For the remaining women who did not have access to smartphones, a local community leader facilitated in-person sessions. During these sessions, practical demonstrations were provided, and content was broken down in Hausa, ensuring that language barriers did not hinder learning.
3.0 Training Focus
The training covered a broad range of topics aimed at enhancing the participants’ business acumen and digital literacy:
- Introduction to Technology: Basics of digital tools and their impact on business operations.
- Benefits of the Digital World: How digital platforms can extend business reach and improve efficiency.
- Bookkeeping: Techniques for maintaining accurate financial records.
- Smartphone Utilization: Effective use of smartphones for business communication and management.
- Email Creation and Management: Setting up and using email accounts for professional communication and accessing vital digital and financial services.
- Social Media for Business: Leveraging platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp for customer engagement and product promotion.
- Online Safety: Strategies to protect personal and business information online.
- Google Search: Utilizing Google for business research and information gathering.
- WhatsApp for Business Growth: Using WhatsApp Status and Voice Notes to engage customers and expand business operations.
- Entrepreneurship Skills: Building foundational skills for successful business management.
4.0 Impact and Outcomes
The post-training assessments revealed significant improvements in the digital, financial, and entrepreneurial capabilities of the participants:
Smartphone Usage: 70 women (67%) learned how to use smartphones to safely make money online, a significant increase from the 20 women (19%) who could do so before the training.
Facebook Account Creation: 73 women (70%) can now open a Facebook account, up from 20 women (19%) pre-training.
Google Search: 60 women (57%) are now confident in using Google for business-related research, compared to just 10 women (10%) before the training.
Online Buying and Selling: 80 women (76%) can now buy and sell products online, a marked improvement from the 40 women (38%) who could do so before the training.
Email Account Creation: 68 women (65%) successfully learned how to open an email account to access vital digital and financial services, up from 10 women (10%) pre-training.
Bookkeeping: 55 women (52%) now know how to keep simple business records, an increase from 10 women (10%) before the training.
WhatsApp for Business: 85 women (81%) can now effectively use WhatsApp Status to attract new customers, up from 30 women (29%) pre-training.
Voice Notes on WhatsApp: 80 women (76%) learned how to use Voice Notes on WhatsApp to grow their businesses, up from 10 women (10%) before the training.
Online Safety: 75 women (71%) now know how to avoid online scams, a significant increase from the 10 women (10%) who knew this before the training.
Overall Confidence: 80 women (76%) now feel confident using technology to enhance their businesses, a dramatic improvement from just 2 women (2%) pre-training.
WhatsApp Group for Trade Facilitation: A WhatsApp group was created to facilitate trade among the women. This group has become a valuable platform for business transactions and peer support, helping to connect women across different communities and support ongoing trade activities.
These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the training in empowering rural women entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to thrive in today’s digital economy.
5.0 Lessons Learned
Several key lessons were identified during the training in Sabon Gari LGA:
Leveraging Smartphone Access: Training women who already owned smartphones but lacked the skills to use them effectively led to immediate application of new knowledge, enhancing engagement and outcomes.
Role of Community Leaders: Involvement of local community leaders was instrumental in mobilizing participants and ensuring strong attendance. These leaders also played a critical role in breaking down content in Hausa, making it more accessible and ensuring that language was not a barrier to learning.
Hybrid Training Approach: The combination of online training via WhatsApp and in-person sessions led by community leaders proved more effective than relying solely on one method. This hybrid approach allowed for greater flexibility and inclusivity.
Incentives for Participation: Providing data and transport stipends helped ensure full participation, as it removed financial barriers that could have otherwise prevented some women from attending.
6.0 Sustainability Strategy
To ensure the continued impact of this program, Tech Herfrica plans to implement several sustainability strategies:
Adaptation to Diverse Communities: Continue using a blended approach to training, adapting content to meet the cultural, linguistic, and economic contexts of different communities.
Strengthening Partnerships: Forge stronger collaborations with local organizations and stakeholders to enhance the reach and effectiveness of future training programs.
Empowering Local Facilitators: We will continue to invest in training local champions who can deliver and adapt the program within their communities, ensuring its longevity and relevance.
WhatsApp Group Continuity: The WhatsApp group created for trade facilitation will be maintained and managed by community leaders, providing a sustained platform for ongoing business transactions and peer support.
Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement ongoing monitoring and evaluation to track the success of the program, identify areas for improvement, and ensure its long-term sustainability.
7.0 Conclusion
The digital, financial, and entrepreneurship skills training conducted in Sabon Gari LGA has equipped 105 rural women entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed in the digital economy. By adopting a sustainable approach that includes leveraging local leadership, adapting to community needs, and creating continuous engagement platforms like the WhatsApp group, this initiative has paved the way for continued business growth and economic independence for these women. Tech Herfrica is now preparing to scale this successful model to other communities in Kaduna and beyond.