Background<\/p>\n
Across Africa, women entrepreneurs are the driving force of local economies \u2014 creating jobs, supporting families, and contributing to national growth. Yet, despite their resilience, most women-led enterprises remain locked out of the digital economy that now defines global trade and competitiveness.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s marketplace, where customers search, buy, and pay online, visibility is everything. But thousands of African women still run promising businesses that are invisible beyond their immediate communities.<\/p>\n
Their potential customers cannot find them on Google, their products are not listed on e-commerce platforms, and their operations remain largely manual.<\/p>\n
2. The Struggles They Face<\/p>\n
Limited Online Visibility: Many women don\u2019t have websites or digital business profiles. Their potential customers can\u2019t find them through Google or marketplaces.
\nFragmented Communication: They use free apps to chat with customers but lack structured systems to manage conversations, sales, and follow-ups.
\nManual Operations: Inventory, delivery, and payments are handled manually, consuming time and leading to costly errors.
\nLow Access to Paid Digital Tools: Tools like WhatsApp Business, AdWords, or SEO optimization seem complex, expensive, or intimidating.
\nWeak Digital Confidence: Many women feel that technology is \u201cfor experts\u201d \u2014 not realizing that digital transformation starts with small, simple steps.
\nMissed Market Opportunities: Without online stores or payment systems, they lose sales to competitors who have gone digital.
\nLack of Structured Mentorship: Even those who start digitalizing often get stuck midway due to the absence of personalized guidance or expert support.<\/p>\n
About Women in Digital Business @ 1 Million AfCFTA Impact Hub<\/p>\n
Women in Digital Business @ 1 Million AfCFTA Impact Hub is a structured entrepreneurial innovation programme designed to help women-led ventures adopt and adapt their business processes, operational structures, and models to current digital realities and environments.<\/p>\n
Brought to you by PABL Solutions LTD through 1 Million AfCFTA Impact Hubin partnership with the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) and fully funded by Microsoft Philanthropies, the programme takes participants on a digital transformation journey through a self-paced online courseware hosted on a dedicated learning management system.<\/p>\n
Participants also receive hands-on technical assistance and mentorship under the guidance of experienced experts.<\/p>\n
Eligibility Criteria<\/p>\n
To apply, applicants must meet the following criteria:<\/p>\n
a. Be a woman aged 18\u201360 years (born between December 10, 1964, and December 10, 2006).<\/p>\n
b. Be African and a resident of one of Africa\u2019s 55 countries.<\/p>\n
c. Have a valid email and WhatsApp account.<\/p>\n
d. Be computer literate and own a personal computer or smartphone with regular access to the internet and power supply.<\/p>\n
e. Have a registered business.<\/p>\n
f. Offer products or services currently available on the market, with evidence of traction.<\/p>\n
g. Be fluent in English.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Desired Behaviour<\/p>\n
Digital Problem-Solving: Using technology to improve efficiency and customer experience.
\nOpportunity Recognition: Spotting digital gaps and turning them into business value.
\nStrategic Thinking: Aligning digital tools with business growth goals.
\nTech Mobilization: Leveraging digital resources for scalable solutions.
\nExecution & Adaptation: Implementing, testing, and refining digital strategies for impact.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Training Curriculum<\/p>\n
1. Women in Digital Business (WiDB) Training of Enterprenuers (ToE)<\/p>\n
Block 1: Welcome to Women in Digital Business
\nBlock 2: Building an Online Presence
\nBlock 3: Selling Online
\nBlock 4: Adapting Other Business Processes<\/p>\n
Training Structure (Maximum of 3 Weeks)<\/p>\n
Phase 1 (Week 1): Complete the Women in Digital Business course.
\nWeek 2: Create a work plan.
\nWeek 3: Refine the plan with facilitator. (Certification by ILO)
\nPhase 2 (6 Weeks): Top participants move on to SIYB courses (optional).<\/p>\n
\u00a0Programme Delivery<\/p>\n
Mode: Flipped classroom with self-paced online content and facilitated walkthrough sessions (in-person or online).
\nPlatform: Access low-bandwidth, user-friendly resources on our technical partner platform.
\nCommunity: Join a vibrant network of entrepreneurs for peer support, expert mentoring, and post-program perks from across Africa.<\/p>\n
Important Note<\/p>\n
The selection process will involve:<\/p>\n
Application and Needs Assessment submitted via this\u00a0Google Form
\nAfter submission, applications will be reviewed on a rolling bases.
\nIn this cohort, only 20\u00a0successful applicants will be contacted and invited to a virtual interview before proceeding to registration on the main learning portal. Others will be on waitlist for subsequent cohort<\/p>\n