For several years now, Facebook has been strengthening its presence in Africa, contributing to the development of the digital ecosystem in a region where the social media platform has 155 million monthly active users.
The web giant is also stepping up its training programs to promote the acquisition of digital skills on the continent.
On September 16, Facebook announced the launch of a new program for women entrepreneurs in Senegal. Called #SheMeansBusiness, the program aims to train 1,500 women entrepreneurs in digital skills to empower them.
The initiative is the result of a collaboration with Senegal's General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (DER), launched in the context of a global health crisis that has put small businesses in difficulty.
By the end of 2020, 1,500 women business leaders will be able to benefit from online training to develop digital and business skills, as well as skills in operations management, financial management, and leadership. First developed in Nigeria and South Africa, the program will this time be piloted in Senegal by Smart Ecosystems for Women (SEW), an organization specializing in supporting female entrepreneurship in Africa.
According to Balkissa Idé-Siddo, Facebook's public affairs manager for French-speaking Africa, "We look forward to working with high-potential women-owned businesses in the coming months, enabling them to hone their skills so they can fully leverage the value of our platforms as tools for growing their businesses. Equally important, we want to build a community where women entrepreneurs can share their experiences and seek advice from their peers."
At the same time, Facebook has also announced the opening of a second office on the continent. After South Africa, the digital giant has chosen to set up shop in Nigeria (Lagos) to accelerate the development of its activities in West Africa.
Read also: Joint interview with Olivia Nloga and Aïda Ndiaye from the Facebook team – French-speaking Africa