1.0 Training Overview
From August 6–8, 2025, the ECOWAS Commission, in partnership with Tech Herfrica, the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Liberia, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Liberia, conducted a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop in Monrovia, Liberia.
The workshop aimed to advance digital inclusion and empower women in underserved communities by equipping selected trainers with digital tools, business skills, and teaching methodologies. The cascade training model ensured that participants could replicate the training in their communities, creating a sustainable grassroots impact for women and youth.
The program was structured over three days:
- Day 1 & Day 2: Training of Trainers sessions.
- Day 3: Practical peer-teaching session with rural women entrepreneurs.
2.0 Training Focus
The training covered essential topics, including:
- How Adults Learn – Training techniques for community-based teaching.
- Using Smartphones for Business.
- Getting Found on Google – Using Google My Business.
- Using WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram for Business.
- Exploring E-Commerce Platforms and Building Digital Customer Relationships.
- Mobile Money and Digital Payments.
3.0 Training Delivery
The workshop was delivered in a highly interactive and practical format, emphasizing real-world applications of digital tools. Key delivery methods included:
- Hands-On Sessions: Participants practiced setting up social media pages, using e-commerce platforms, and engaging customers online.
- Group Discussions: Trainers shared experiences and explored strategies for overcoming community-specific challenges.
- Peer-Teaching Practice: On the final day, trainers conducted live sessions for rural women entrepreneurs to apply their learning immediately.
4.0 Program Outcomes
The Training of Trainers Workshop achieved notable results:
- Capacity Building: 50% of trainers learned new, effective methods for teaching adult learners.
- Increased Confidence: 100% of trainers reported feeling more confident using tools and examples to teach pricing for profit and digital customer engagement.
- Digital Skills Advancement: All trainers acquired practical skills in smartphone use for business, e-commerce, and digital payments.
- Grassroots Impact: The Day 3 peer-training session demonstrated immediate community benefit and the sustainability of the cascade model.
5.0 Lessons Learned
- Contextualized Training Improves Impact: Adapting content to local realities increases engagement and understanding.
- Peer-Teaching Reinforces Learning: The practical session with rural women entrepreneurs helped trainers consolidate their skills.
- Bridging the Digital Divide Requires Collaboration: Partnerships between government, private sector, and NGOs are crucial to reaching rural communities.
- Digital Literacy Gaps Remain Significant: More targeted programs are needed to close rural-urban disparities in technology adoption.
6.0 Sustainability Strategy
To ensure long-term impact, Tech Herfrica and its partners plan to:
- Replicate the Model: Support trained participants in conducting further community-level training.
- Strengthen Partnerships: Collaborate with NGOs, government agencies, and private sector players to scale the program.
- Monitor and Evaluate: Track the performance of trainers and the impact on women entrepreneurs in rural areas.
- Enhance Resource Access: Explore initiatives to improve access to smartphones, internet, and digital tools for rural communities.
7.0 Conclusion
The Digital Skills Training of Trainers Workshop in Liberia successfully equipped trainers with the knowledge, confidence, and teaching techniques needed to drive digital inclusion for women in rural communities. By equipping trainers to replicate their learning, the program lays a strong foundation for sustained community transformation.
Tech Herfrica, in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission, remains committed to promoting gender equality, fostering economic empowerment, and advancing digital transformation across the region.
