Empowering Rural Women Entrepreneurs in Zaria LGA for the Digital Economy

1.0 Overview

On August 29, 2024, Tech Herfrica, in collaboration with local partners, conducted a transformative digital and financial literacy training session in Zaria LGA, Kaduna State. This session was part of the Chat for Women’s Livelihood Accelerator program, designed to empower 96 rural women entrepreneurs with the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy.

2.0 Training Delivery

The training was delivered through two formats to ensure accessibility for all participants:

  • WhatsApp Chat Service: 56 women participated via Tech Herfrica’s WhatsApp-based training. This format allowed them to learn directly on their mobile devices, facilitating hands-on practice with digital tools.
  • Community-Led Sessions: A local community leader conducted sessions using a projector for 40 women without direct access to the chat service. This approach enabled group learning and discussion, making the content accessible to everyone.

3.0 Training Focus

The training covered a broad range of topics aimed at enhancing the digital and entrepreneurial skills of the participants:

  • Technology Introduction: Basics of digital tools and their applications in business.
  • Benefits of the Digital World: Exploring how digital platforms can expand business reach.
  • Bookkeeping: Techniques for maintaining accurate financial records.
  • Smartphone Utilization: Leveraging smartphones for business purposes.
  • Email Account Creation: Setting up and using email for professional communication.
  • Social Media for Business: Using platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to connect with customers and promote products.
  • Online Safety: Protecting personal and business information online.
  • Google Search: Using Google effectively for business inquiries.
  • WhatsApp for Business: Utilizing WhatsApp Status and Voice Notes to grow customer engagement and sales.
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4.0 Impact and Outcomes

The training led to remarkable improvements in the participants’ digital literacy and entrepreneurial skills, significantly enhancing their confidence and ability to participate in the digital economy. Key outcomes include:

  • Smartphone Usage: Post-training, 75 women (78%) reported being able to use smartphones to make money online safely, compared to 10 women (10%) in the pre-assessment.
  • Facebook Account Creation: 60 women (63%) can now open a Facebook account, a significant increase from 5 women (5%) before the training.
  • Google Search: 60 women (63%) are now confident in using Google for business-related searches, up from 10 women (10%).
  • Online Buying and Selling: 70 women (73%) can now buy and sell products online, an improvement from 15 women (16%).
  • Email Account Creation: 60 women (63%) successfully learned how to open an email account, compared to 15 women (16%) before the training.
  • Bookkeeping: 57 women (59%) now know how to keep simple business records, up from 10 women (10%).
  • WhatsApp for Business: 80 women (83%) can now effectively use WhatsApp Status to attract new customers and utilize Voice Notes for business growth, compared to 10 and 35 women, respectively, in the pre-assessment.
  • Online Safety: 70 women (73%) now know how to avoid online scams, up from 10 women (10%).
  • Overall Confidence: 80 women (83%) now feel confident in using technology to enhance their businesses, a significant increase from 10 women (10%).
  • Trade Facilitation: Additionally, a WhatsApp group was created during the training, where participants have already begun facilitating trade and networking, further enhancing their business operations.

5.0 Lessons Learned

  • Smartphone Access: Targeting women who already possessed smartphones but lacked the skills to use them effectively led to the immediate application of new knowledge, boosting engagement and results.
  • Community Leader Involvement: The involvement of local community leaders was vital in mobilizing participants and ensuring strong attendance, as well as in facilitating learning for those without direct access to the chat service.
  • Hybrid Training Approach: Combining online and in-person training, led by trained community leaders, was more effective than relying solely on one method.
  • Incentives for Participation: Providing data and transport stipends ensured full participation, with women motivated by the knowledge that their attendance would not incur additional costs.

6.0 Sustainability Strategy

To ensure the continued success of this initiative, Tech Herfrica plans to:

  • Adapt to Diverse Communities: Continue using a blended training approach, tailored to the cultural and economic contexts of different communities.
  • Strengthen Partnerships: Build stronger collaborations with local organizations to extend the program’s reach.
  • Empower Local Facilitators: Invest in training local champions to deliver and adapt the program within their communities.
  • Ongoing Impact Measurement: Implement continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure the program’s success and adaptability.

7.0 Conclusion

The digital and financial literacy training in Zaria LGA has successfully equipped 96 rural women entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence to navigate the digital economy. The creation of a WhatsApp group for ongoing trade and networking has further bolstered their business operations. Tech Herfrica remains committed to scaling this initiative to other communities, ensuring that more women can benefit from these transformative skills.

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