The Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth, MTN Group Fintech, and Arifu have joined forces to support nearly 1 million small businesses in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda.
Through the innovative MoMo Coach chatbot, the program equips entrepreneurs with digital skills, fosters access to digital financial services, and connects them to digital marketplaces.
This initiative, part of Mastercard’s global Strive program, seeks to enhance the resilience and growth of small businesses by addressing the digital divide. It builds on Mastercard’s efforts to deliver business-building content to small enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa, with similar programs already launched in Kenya and Nigeria.
Despite the growing need for digital tools, only 27.65% of enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa had adopted such tools by the end of 2022, highlighting a persistent skills gap.
The MoMo Coach chatbot, powered by Arifu’s Grasp Platform, addresses this challenge by delivering free, accessible, and practical micro-learning experiences via popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, SMS, and MTN MoMo.
“Small businesses are vital to Africa’s growth and create opportunities for a more resilient and inclusive regional economy,” said Subhashini Chandran, Mastercard’s Senior Vice President of Social Impact. “We are delighted to catalyse this partnership to equip small business owners with the digital skills and knowledge essential for thriving in an increasingly digital economy.”
The program has already reached over 930,000 MTN customers, merchants, and agents in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda. More than 75,000 small business owners have accessed free courses, with over 45,000 actively engaging with MoMo Coach. Topics covered include How to Start Your Business, Money Management, and Grow and Secure Your Business, addressing challenges like affordability and access to relevant knowledge.
Aminata, a 31-year-old entrepreneur from Côte d’Ivoire, is a testament to the initiative’s impact. She has used MoMo Coach to improve her money management, splitting profits to grow her business, cover expenses, and save for future projects. “My income has increased,” Aminata shared. “When I post my goods on WhatsApp, I sell more.”
Serigne Dioum, CEO of MTN Group Fintech, underscored the importance of empowering small businesses with digital skills, stating, “Through MoMo Coach, we are unlocking opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive in the digital economy, strengthening communities, and shaping the future of business across the continent.”
The program’s success is a step toward achieving inclusive economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, ensuring that small businesses can navigate and thrive in the digital economy.
