1.0 Training Overview
On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, Tech Herfrica, a social impact organization dedicated to empowering rural African women, launched a digital literacy and entrepreneurship skills training in Wamba Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. This initiative, part of the Chat for Women’s Livelihood Accelerator program, was developed in collaboration with Turn.io and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The training equipped 93 women with access to digital literacy and entrepreneurship skills training through a WhatsApp-based chatbot.
1.1 Training Focus
The training included a comprehensive session, covering essential skills in:
- Introduction to technology
- Benefits of the digital world
- Bookkeeping and Entrepreneurship skills
- Effective smartphone usage (tailored for both feature-rich and WhatsApp-enabled devices)
- Creating email accounts
- Leveraging social media for business
- Online safety
- Google search techniques
1.2 Training Delivery
The training was conducted in Pidgin and Hausa, emphasizing practical applications of smartphones and digital tools to enhance women’s economic and livelihood skills. Pre- and post-assessments measured digital literacy progress. The training was delivered in two formats to ensure accessibility for all participants:
- WhatsApp Chat Service: 57 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 staff of Tech Herfrica supported by a local community leader conducted sessions using a projector for 36 women without direct access to the smartphones. This approach enabled group learning and discussion on the chat service using a single device and watching the courses via a projector, making the content accessible to everyone.
2.0 Program Outcomes
The training achieved significant results:
- Increased Awareness: 78 out of 93 participants reported learning to leverage technology for income generation and business growth.
- Enhanced Online Learning: Online learning participation rose from 15 to all 93 participants by the end of the program.
- Improved Social Media Skills: 100% of participants reported enhanced knowledge in using WhatsApp and Facebook for business.
- Improved Email Proficiency: Only 8 participants initially knew how to create an email account; by the end, 92% could create and use one.
- Boosted Confidence in Google Search: Confidence in using Google Search increased by 85%.
- Economic Empowerment: 70 out of 93 participants gained confidence in using phones to generate income.
- Improved Entrepreneurial Skills: All participants reported an increased understanding of entrepreneurship.
- Enhanced Financial Management: 100% gained a comprehensive understanding of bookkeeping for business success.
3.0 Lessons Learned
- Community Engagement is Essential
Engaging with local leaders and community groups was crucial to the training’s success. This outreach fostered trust, ensured high participation, and instilled a sense of ownership among the women. Future trainings will aim to increase pre-event outreach and collaboration with community influencers to maximize impact.
- Hands-On Training Drives Learning
A practical training approach significantly boosted participants’ confidence and skills retention. Real-time activities, such as setting up email accounts and sending WhatsApp voice notes, enabled participants to immediately apply their learning. Future programs should continue to prioritize interactive, practice-based sessions.
- Tailored Content Increases Relevance
Content tailored to the participant’s needs, focusing on practical skills such as social media usage, online safety, and effective smartphone use, ensured relevance and applicability. Future initiatives should continue to adapt content based on the unique needs and circumstances of each target audience.
- Availability of Smartphones Impacts Participation
The varying levels of technology access among participants (WhatsApp-enabled vs. feature-rich phones) highlighted the importance of adapting training methods. While the program successfully catered to both groups, future initiatives could explore providing temporary access to smartphones or partnering with organizations to offer affordable devices. This would ensure all participants can fully maximize the benefits of digital skills training.
4.0 Sustainability Strategy
To ensure the program’s long-term impact, Tech Herfrica plans to:
- Adapt to Diverse Communities: Customize training to meet the regional needs of communities across Nigeria, considering cultural and language preferences.
- Build Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations, NGOs, and government agencies to expand the program’s reach.
- Empower Local Champions: Train local facilitators to support sustainable program delivery and continuity.
- Measure Impact: Implement a robust monitoring and evaluation system to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
- Update Learning Opportunities: Conduct regular virtual training on practical steps for online business growth to foster a thriving community.
5.0 Conclusion
This digital literacy training successfully empowered 93 women in Wamba LGA by enhancing their digital and entrepreneurial skills. Tech Herfrica’s commitment to a sustainable, community-centered approach ensures the program’s continued success, paving the way for countless women to achieve economic independence through technology.