The project, focused on uplifting rural women in agriculture and trade, integrates digital technology and financial inclusion to enhance productivity, income, and overall well-being. Addressing inequalities, poverty, and the gender digital divide, the initiative aims to empower rural iwomen through technology.

Key objectives include improving digital and financial literacy, enabling safe internet usage, providing smartphone access for connectivity and leveraging Fintech and Agritech solutions for climate change mitigation and productivity enhancement. Additionally, connecting participants to e-commerce solutions and offering health insurance and non-interest financial services contribute to establishing financial security.

By December 2023, tangible results were achieved, with over 80% of 4,080 rural women experiencing improved digital and financial literacy. Mobile devices provided to 411 women enhanced connectivity, leading to significant improvements in e-commerce and Agritech engagement. The project facilitated over 10 million naira in trade, resulting in a remarkable 56.6% average income increase for many beneficiaries. Business loans totaling over 3 million naira achieved a 100% repayment rate, and 71% of businesses scaled up in terms of income and gained new customers. Furthermore, 86 women opened bank accounts, with 25% consistently saving, contributing to their financial stability.

https://www.techherfrica.org/

• Nigeria

• Women
• Remote and rural communities

Implemented in 7 States and 17 communities in Nigeria, this project yielded consistent results across the board, showing its inherent capacity to be replicated. Additionally, the initial phase of the project successfully took place in Bamba Ward, Kenya for 15 beneficiaries. The program design has been meticulously crafted to ensure scalability and adaptability across diverse regions and communities. Each project component is strategically structured to generate consistent outcomes, particularly when the approach is customized to align with the unique local context and specificity of each location.

The project is designed to guarantee sustainable improvements in women's income, enabling them to sustain the adoption of positive behaviors. Across all project-implemented locations, the community has embraced the initiative, transforming it into a community-led project. Male allies played integral roles at key stages, receiving training to actively support their partners. Clusters were established, with leaders selected and equipped to facilitate continuous community learning and support. The cluster leaders are also in a Whats App group and this eases communication between our team and them. Currently, we are in the process of finalizing digital content to be distributed to beneficiaries in local languages. This material aims to provide lifelong support, ensuring the project's enduring impact and contributing to sustained positive change within the communities involved.

Our projects underscore and advocate for the importance of freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, shared responsibility, and respect within communities. Integrating men and community leaders at various project phases promotes shared responsibility, encouraging men to actively support women. Involving community leaders throughout the project further reinforces the concept of shared responsibility. By reinforcing positive social norms, we promote mutual respect between women and their partners, aiming to mitigate any potential impact on family stability resulting from women's economic prosperity. Adopting a cluster-based approach, we foster a sense of empathy and tolerance among clusters, encouraging mutual support when needed. Overall, our work promotes equality, ensuring that women have the same access to information and opportunities that their male counterparts do.