Apply Now for Women in Digital Business (WiDB) Empowers African Women Entrepreneurs at 1 Million AfCFTA Impact Hub

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Across Africa, women entrepreneurs remain the heartbeat of local economies — driving job creation, sustaining families, and contributing immensely to national growth. Yet, despite their resilience, many women-led enterprises are still excluded from the fast-evolving digital economy that shapes global trade today.

In a world where consumers search, buy, and pay online, digital visibility has become essential for business survival. Unfortunately, thousands of women-owned businesses in Africa remain invisible beyond their communities. Their brands are missing from Google search results, their products are absent from e-commerce platforms, and their operations remain largely manual — limiting their potential to scale and compete.

Challenges Women Entrepreneurs Face in the Digital Economy

The digital gap for African women in business is not just about access — it’s about capability, confidence, and connectivity.

Limited Online Visibility: Many women lack websites or digital profiles, making it difficult for customers to find them online.

Manual Business Operations: Most entrepreneurs still manage inventory, sales, and payments manually, leading to inefficiency and loss of time.

Fragmented Communication: While they may use messaging apps to talk to customers, they often lack structured systems for managing leads and follow-ups.

Limited Access to Paid Digital Tools: Tools like Google Ads, SEO software, or e-commerce integrations often appear expensive or intimidating.

Low Digital Confidence: Many women assume that digital transformation requires advanced expertise, unaware that small steps can lead to big results.

Missed Market Opportunities: Without online stores or digital payment options, many lose potential sales to tech-savvy competitors.

Lack of Mentorship and Guidance: Even those who attempt to digitalize often get stuck midway without expert support or structured training.

About the Women in Digital Business (WiDB) Program

The Women in Digital Business (WiDB) initiative at the 1 Million AfCFTA Impact Hub is transforming how women-led ventures operate and grow across Africa.

Designed by PABL Solutions Ltd in collaboration with the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) and funded by Microsoft Philanthropies, WiDB provides structured training, mentorship, and digital transformation support to help women entrepreneurs leverage technology for business growth.

The program empowers participants to adopt modern business models, strengthen online presence, and integrate digital tools into every aspect of their operations — from marketing to customer management and e-commerce.

Training and Mentorship

Participants embark on a self-paced digital learning journey through a user-friendly online platform. The training combines e-learning with expert mentorship, allowing women to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Training Curriculum:

  1. Welcome to Women in Digital Business (WiDB)
  2. Building an Online Presence
  3. Selling Online
  4. Adapting Other Business Processes

Program Duration:

  • Phase 1 (3 Weeks):
    • Week 1: Complete the WiDB course.
    • Week 2: Develop a personalized work plan.
    • Week 3: Refine the plan with a facilitator (Certification by ILO).
  • Phase 2 (6 Weeks – Optional):
    Top-performing participants progress to Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) courses for advanced capacity building.

Core Learning Outcomes

Participants are expected to demonstrate:

  • Digital Problem-Solving: Using technology to improve efficiency and customer experience.
  • Opportunity Recognition: Identifying digital market gaps and converting them into value.
  • Strategic Thinking: Aligning digital tools with long-term business growth.
  • Tech Mobilization: Leveraging digital resources for scalable impact.
  • Execution & Adaptation: Testing, refining, and implementing digital strategies effectively.

Programme Delivery

The WiDB training adopts a flipped classroom model that combines online learning and facilitated sessions (either virtual or in-person).

Participants gain access to a low-bandwidth, mobile-friendly platform, ensuring inclusivity for women in both urban and rural areas. They also join a vibrant pan-African network of entrepreneurs for peer support, expert guidance, and post-program business growth opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Women in Digital Business (WiDB) program, applicants must:

  • Be African women aged 18–60 years.
  • Be residents of any of Africa’s 55 countries.
  • Have a registered business offering market-ready products or services.
  • Possess basic computer literacy and access to a computer or smartphone with stable internet.
  • Be fluent in English and have an active email and WhatsApp account.

Selection and Application Process

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Only 20 qualified applicants will be shortlisted for interviews and invited to the main training portal. Others will be placed on a waitlist for subsequent cohorts.

Empowering Africa’s Digital Future

The Women in Digital Business initiative is not just a training program — it’s a movement. By equipping African women with the digital tools and confidence to scale their businesses, WiDB is laying the foundation for inclusive growth across the continent.

Every woman who joins the program becomes part of a community that is rewriting Africa’s digital story — one enterprise at a time.

For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE 

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