Today, Facebook announced that all its Economic Impact Programmes will be offered virtually as the platform seeks to equip small businesses with digital marketing skills to help them stay open, connect with and acquire new customers to survive challenges presented by Coronavirus.
Facebook’s Economic Impact Programmes include Boost with Facebook currently implemented in 11 African countries, targeting over 41,000 small businesses, SheMeansBusiness available in Nigeria, South Africa and Senegal reaching 7,500 participants, Digify Pro offered in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa with 230 participants and Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programme which works with 360 participants in Nigeria.
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These programmes, available virtually from June 22nd 2020 will include 90 minute long Instructor-led live webinar sessions featuring presentations, demonstrations, lectures and virtual discussions. As part of this there will also be Facebook/Instagram Live sessions that will feature business owners, entrepreneurs, and startups who will provide seminars and talks on various topics, with trainers also hosting ‘office hours’ to accommodate questions asked by participants.
Commenting on the announcement, Phil Oduor, Policy Programs Manager for Economic Impact and Digital Literacy, Facebook said, “We know that businesses all over the continent, especially small businesses, are experiencing unexpected challenges. These specially curated programmes will provide much-needed support and advice to SMBs looking to build, establish and grow their businesses.”
Facebook remains committed to supporting SMB’s across SSA by offering training aimed at equipping SMBs with vital skills to leverage digital tools to stay in touch with their customers and achieve their business goals in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Facebook’s Economic Impact Programs Explained
Boost with Facebook is a one-day workshop that offers small business owners an opportunity to learn more about how digital tools can be used as a tool for business growth while also making meaningful connections with potential consumers. Boost with Facebook program kicked off in Africa in 2017 and since then has seen over 80,000 small businesses trained across the continent. The program has run in 11 countries, including; Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, DRC, Guinea and Niger. From this month, the program will expand to Burkina Faso, Mali, Gabon, and Congo Brazzaville.
SheMeansBusiness; When women do well, economies do well: #SheMeansBusiness Program provides support to thousands of female business owners in Nigeria and South Africa through trainings.
Digify Pro; Facebook is committed to building a pipeline of skilled talent to help build digital industries across Africa. It believes in the power of African youth to help drive future economies across Africa. Digital industries can be an important contributor to local economies and Facebook is invested in doing what we can to help build a pipeline of talent to support these industries for future growth.
Aspiring Entrepreneurs Program: This is an in-depth four-week training programme that gives selected entrepreneurs the opportunity to truly master the art of digital marketing, and acquire key skills to take their businesses further. In partnership with the Fate Foundation, these sessions have run in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Aba, Abeokuta, Calabar, Kaduna, Enugu and Ibadan. Graduates of this programme receive mentorship support and access to business tools and applications.
