https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250807/how-a-tech-driven-ngo-is-revolutionizing-africas-rural-womens-economic-power-1076618777.html
How a Tech-Driven NGO is Revolutionizing Africa's Rural Women's Economic Power
How a Tech-Driven NGO is Revolutionizing Africa's Rural Women's Economic Power
Sputnik Africa
When a rural woman who cannot use a smartphone suddenly makes an online sale worth millions, “that’s what success looks like, where a tool in hand becomes... 07.08.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-08-07T16:42+0200
2025-08-07T16:42+0200
2025-08-07T16:42+0200
african currents
podcasts
sputnik africa
africa
ngo (non-governmental organization)
women's empowerment
digital technology
central africa
east africa
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How a Tech-Driven NGO is Revolutionizing Africa's Rural Women's Economic Power
Sputnik Africa
When a rural woman who cannot use a smartphone suddenly makes an online sale worth millions, “that’s what success looks like, where a tool in hand becomes money in the bank. Where knowledge acquired becomes a tool to make money and reach new customers,” according to a digital literacy advisor.
According to a 2024 GSMA report, just 33 percent of Nigerian women now use mobile internet—compared with 52 percent of men—highlighting a persistent gender gap in digital access. To tackle this imbalance, Tech Herfrica, a Nigerian non-governmental organization, is equipping rural women across other African countries with the tools they need to get online.Since launching its flagship program—EquipHer 4Growth, the NGO has trained more than 100,000 women in basic digital skills and distributed smartphones to close the technology divide. Looking ahead to 2030, Tech Herfrica aims to empower one million women by integrating an online marketplace (HerLocal Market) and connecting participants to microloans and health-insurance schemes.This scalable approach not only addresses entrenched gender and geographic inequalities but also underscores how digital inclusion can fuel economic growth and strengthen social resilience.African Currents spoke with Imade Osuobeni, Tech Herfrica’s policy advisor and digital‐inclusion expert, to explore how the NGO is bridging the digital divide for rural African women—connecting them to financial services and online markets.Want to hear more from our guests? Catch the full conversation on the African Currents podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.You’ll find our episodes not just on the website, but also on Telegram.► You can also stream our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict.► Check out all the episodes of African Currents.
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podcasts, sputnik africa, africa, ngo (non-governmental organization), women's empowerment, digital technology , central africa, east africa, west africa, north africa, southern africa, nigeria, kenya, smartphone, women, аудио
podcasts, sputnik africa, africa, ngo (non-governmental organization), women's empowerment, digital technology , central africa, east africa, west africa, north africa, southern africa, nigeria, kenya, smartphone, women, аудио
How a Tech-Driven NGO is Revolutionizing Africa's Rural Women's Economic Power
When a rural woman who cannot use a smartphone suddenly makes an online sale worth millions, “that’s what success looks like, where a tool in hand becomes money in the bank. Where knowledge acquired becomes a tool to make money and reach new customers,” according to a digital literacy advisor.
According to a 2024 GSMA
report, just 33 percent of Nigerian women now use mobile internet—compared with 52 percent of men—highlighting a persistent gender gap in digital access. To tackle this imbalance, Tech Herfrica, a Nigerian non-governmental organization, is equipping rural women across other African countries with the tools they need to get online.
Since launching its flagship program—EquipHer 4Growth, the NGO has trained more than 100,000 women in basic digital skills and distributed smartphones to close the technology divide. Looking ahead to 2030, Tech Herfrica aims to empower one million women by integrating an online marketplace (HerLocal Market) and connecting participants to microloans and health-insurance schemes.
This scalable approach not only addresses entrenched gender and geographic inequalities but also underscores how digital inclusion can fuel economic growth and strengthen social resilience.
African Currents spoke with Imade Osuobeni, Tech Herfrica’s policy advisor and digital‐inclusion expert, to explore how the NGO is bridging the digital divide for rural African women—connecting them to financial services and online markets.
"Our very first milestone is to ensure that 100,000 women across African countries have the digital skills that they need to thrive. So I'm talking about basic skills like how to use simple banking apps for their business and what for their families. Number two, is to show that all 100,000 of them have access to the tool that they need, a simple smartphone," Osuobeni said.
Want to hear more from our guests? Catch the full conversation on the African Currents podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
You’ll find our episodes not just on the website, but also on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of African Currents. 
