MasterCard’s Inclusive Growth Center, in partnership with MTN Group Fintech and education platform Arifu, has launched an initiative to help one million small businesses in Ivory Coast and Uganda digitize their operations. This collaboration aims to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with essential digital skills to thrive in an increasingly digitalized economy.
The initiative is powered by the MoMo Coach solution, powered by Arifu’s Grasp platform, which provides micro-training through popular channels such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, SMS and MTN’s MoMo app. Courses cover crucial topics like money management, starting a business, and sustainable business growth.
Since its launch, MoMo Coach has reached over 930,000 MTN users, including 75,000 SME owners who have completed free courses, with 45,000 active participants. This solution allows entrepreneurs to overcome common obstacles such as the high cost of training and lack of access to suitable knowledge.
According to Subhashini Chandran, MasterCard’s senior vice president for social impact, this project is part of the global MasterCard Strive initiative, which aims to transform 18 million SMEs around the world through digitalization. “Small businesses are vital to Africa’s growth and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient regional economy,” she said.
Serigne Dioum, CEO of MTN Group Fintech, added: “By providing digital skills, we strengthen communities and shape the future of business in Africa. »
This initiative comes in a context where SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa are still struggling to adopt digital technologies, with only 27.65% of them having integrated digital tools in 2022. Targeting accessibility and skills challenges , MasterCard, MTN and Arifu are opening new opportunities for African entrepreneurs, fostering their resilience and growth.
