Abia Government, UNDP, and EU Spearhead Digital Empowerment for Youths and Women

In a collaborative effort between the Abia State Ministry of Digital Economy/Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the European Union (EU), Abia youths and women recently underwent a two-day intensive training on digital marketing and ease of doing business. The training, held in Aba on November 28 and 29, 2023, aimed to equip business owners with digital literacy, enabling them to expand their businesses globally.

Chibuzor Elizabeth Chijioke, the Special Assistant to Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, on Digital Economy, highlighted the significance of the training in fostering business growth. She mentioned that participants would be enrolled in the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NGCARES) program, providing them with grants to support their businesses. Chijioke emphasized ongoing digital economy literacy training and continuous support for businesses in Abia state.

Participants, including Marvelous Major, Nneka Anthonia Samuel, and Ojukwu Glory, praised the intensive and engaging nature of the training. They expressed gratitude to the Abia state government, UNDP, and EU for the valuable opportunity. The training covered various aspects, including social media marketing, internet usage, cybercrime awareness, and the use of AI in business.

Digital skills trainer and marketing expert Ojoms Sandra Smile stressed the need for additional training to help business owners integrate technology into their products for maximum profitability. She encouraged businesses to embrace the endless possibilities offered by the digital space.

In his vote of thanks, Commissioner for Digital Economy and SMEs in Abia state, Mathew Ekwuribe, represented by Chibuzor Elizabeth Chijioke, commended the commitment of UNDP and EU in promoting digital literacy among Abians. He announced the state government’s plans to launch a comprehensive initiative empowering women and youth-led businesses. Ekwuribe revealed the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for these businesses to flourish, including the ongoing World Bank NG-CARES program providing grants and resources for start-ups and existing businesses.

CREDIT: Afnews