Google and HP team up with UpSkill Universe to bring 'Skills for Business' to 10,000 African small to medium enterprises (SMEs)
UpSkill Universe Launches Skills for Business Programme to Empower African SMEs
UpSkill Universe, in partnership with Google and HP Inc., has launched a new initiative aimed at empowering 10,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and South Africa with essential digital and business skills. This targeted programme, named Skills for Business, is designed to bridge the digital skills gap faced by many African SMEs, particularly as they navigate challenges like the rise of AI and changing customer behaviours.
The Skills for Business programme aims to provide practical, locally relevant training aligned with real-world business demands. It builds on UpSkill Universe's prior success with the Hustle Academy Business Bootcamp, which has supported over 15,000 SMEs since 2022.
Key features and goals of the Skills for Business programme include the provision of practical tools and actionable training focused on digital skills such as AI, digital marketing, and e-commerce. Small business owners and their teams will have access to over 30 hands-on training modules, covering key areas like leveraging AI for productivity, mastering digital marketing, and launching into e-commerce.
Participants will also have access to the HP LIFE platform, a free global online business skills training platform provided by the HP Foundation, offering a variety of courses that complement the hands-on training modules. The programme will employ a hybrid delivery approach—both online and in-person—to maximise accessibility and impact for entrepreneurs and their teams.
The Skills for Business programme is set to drive Africa's digital transformation and drive economic growth through strategic partnerships. HP Inc. is proud to back the programme as part of its mission to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030. Google, with its expertise in digital strategy and growth, is also participating in the programme.
Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact at HP Inc. and Executive Director of the HP Foundation, stated that the Skills for Business program is about empowering entrepreneurs to access the future of work. Kristy Grant, Head of B2B & Brand Marketing at Google SSA, added that small businesses are a driving force for progress across Africa and need access to the right skills and tools to grow.
The programme prioritises inclusivity, aiming for at least 50% of participants to be women-owned businesses. One SME from Lagos shared that the Hustle Academy training reshaped how they connect with customers online, making a real difference for them.
UpSkill Universe will oversee the programme's implementation and coordinate collaboration with key partners. Gori Yahaya, CEO of UpSkill Universe, stated that the programme aims to provide practical tools for success in today's digital economy.
Overall, the programme aims to equip African SMEs with the critical digital and business capabilities needed to thrive, grow, and compete in the fast-evolving digital business landscape, contributing to broader economic development across Nigeria, South Africa, and potentially beyond.
- The Skills for Business programme, launched by UpSkill Universe, aims to empower 10,000 African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through essential digital and business skills, bridging the digital skills gap, particularly in the face of AI and changing customer behaviors.
- Small business owners and their teams will have access to over 30 hands-on training modules, focusing on digital skills such as AI, digital marketing, and e-commerce, designed to be practical and locally relevant.
- Beyond the hands-on training modules, participants will also have access to the HP LIFE platform, offering a variety of courses in business skills, complementing the program's focus on technology and entrepreneurship.
- The programme prioritizes inclusivity, with at least 50% of participants expected to be women-owned businesses, fostering opportunities for personal growth and education in digital enterprise.
- Through strategic partnerships with Google and HP Inc., and a hybrid delivery approach, the Skills for Business programme is set to promote economic growth and drive Africa's digital transformation, equipping SMEs with the critical skills necessary for thriving, growing, and competing in the digital business landscape.
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