Breaking Barriers: How Women Entrepreneurs Across Nigeria Are Scaling New Heights with Digital Skills
When the Scale HerBiz Initiative first began, its goal was a powerful one: to equip 50 women entrepreneurs from across Nigeria with the essential digital skills and tools they needed to reach more customers, grow their businesses, and compete confidently in the modern digital economy.
This vital programme, led by Tech Herfrica in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), was created to address a glaring issue. The data was clear; while countless women were running successful businesses in sectors from agriculture and fashion to IT and catering, a staggering 76% had never earned a single Naira online. Without a digital presence or the right tools, their immense potential was simply being left untapped.
Then, a challenge emerged. As the training was about to start, only 24 of the 50 originally selected women were able to take part. What could have been seen as a setback, however, quickly turned into a unique opportunity. The smaller group size fostered a more intimate and supportive environment, allowing for personalised guidance and deeper, more meaningful engagement.
Over four intensive days of virtual training, followed by ongoing support and mentoring, the women gained hands-on, practical experience with platforms that would go on to transform their enterprises. They mastered tools like Google My Business, learned graphic design with Canva, explored the potential of AI-powered tools, and used the Business Model Canvas to build stronger, more sustainable business strategies.
The results, simply put, were profound.
Five of the participants shared particularly powerful stories of their transformation
• Tohfarms Company:
“Since registering on Google My Business, we’ve been contacted by countless new customers looking for everything from chickens and eggs to goats and fish. Some now walk directly into our farm, while others place orders online for home delivery. I was even inspired to register my second business, TohClean Services, using the very same skills. Canva helped us design promotions and posts to thank our customers, and AI video tools gave us a new way to show our appreciation. I am deeply grateful for this change.” – Golor Okiemute, MD, Tohfarms
• Fadenbles Concepts (Fashion & Design):
“One of my biggest wins was finally learning to design my own flyers. It’s saved me so much time and money, and the results are far better for my brand. Setting up Google Business has massively boosted my visibility, and I’ve now used Facebook ads to secure real sales. Above all, the Business Model Canvas keeps me focused on sustainable growth. This programme has been a true gamechanger for me.”
• Boluwatife:
“I run two separate businesses and was always confused about how to present them. Now, thanks to Scale HerBiz, I confidently manage both under a single, cohesive digital presence. I post regularly on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and I’ve even started using AI image generators to model my new product designs. My confidence in the digital world has grown beyond measure.”
• Mrs. Bakare:
“This training properly brought my business into the digital age. I now create my own logos and flyers using Canva and produce professional videos with AI tools that have given my products a global reach. The Business Model Canvas keeps me strategic, helping me target the right clients. It has been an unforgettable and truly life-changing experience.”
• Pleinoret Foods:
“My sales have increased from just one or two orders a week to over thirty. I now edit and design my own marketing videos, and I recently received my first customer enquiry directly from Google My Business. Scale HerBiz has turned my small operation into a fast-growing, competitive brand.” – Temitope Obafemi, Pleinoret Foods
Scale HerBiz stands as proof that when women entrepreneurs are given the right digital tools, they don’t just survive—they thrive. From farmers to caterers and fashion designers, these 24 women finished the programme with practical skills, renewed confidence, and tangible business results that speak for themselves.
This initiative is far more than just a training programme; it is a crucial movement towards inclusive economic growth. By actively bridging the digital divide, Tech Herfrica and SMEDAN are unlocking new opportunities for women to compete in larger markets, expand their reach, and achieve genuine financial independence. From one farmer successfully registering two businesses online to a food entrepreneur scaling from two to thirty orders a week, Scale HerBiz is actively rewriting the story of women-led enterprise in Nigeria.
As one participant so eloquently put it:
“This training didn’t just change my business; it changed how I see myself. Now, I believe I can compete with anyone, anywhere.”