NGO empowers Kwara market women with financial literacy, digital skills

A non-governmental organisation under the aegis of T.A Community has trained about 246 women operating small and medium-scale businesses across four different markets in Ilorin Kwara State through their project Technology for market women (T4MW).

Speaking during the stake holders meeting for the projects, Tunmise Johnson, the Programme Director, explained that over 300 market women applied for the initiative, while the majority of them received training on financial literacy aimed at boosting the digital economy.

He explained, “Out of over 300 applicants, we have trained about 246 of them, and currently more than 100 are using our flagship mobile application, She balance.

“We also have 18 mentors strengthening financial literacy among other market women within their various market. They have trained other market women on recordkeeping, financial management, savings, and loan management, so that whenever they access loans, they can properly track and repay them.

“If market women want to engage in target savings, they are mentored on how to calculate what they need to save daily to achieve their financial goals.

“Now, we have many market women consistently recording their income and expenses weekly on our “She Balance” App.”

Speaking on future plans, Tunmise noted that the programme is currently at its pilot stage and would soon be expanded to other parts of Kwara State and beyond.

“This is just a pilot phase to ensure our product is functioning effectively. Since we have discovered that the product is highly useful based on the over 200 market women already trained, we are looking at scaling up to reach 1,000 to 2,000 people across other states such as Ogun, Abuja and beyond,” he added.

Also speaking, Jesse Mathias Bala, Project Officer of Digital Opportunity Trust, said the organisation is supporting T-Community in implementing the Technology for Market Women project in collaboration with the MasterCard Foundation and Digital Opportunity Trust.

He explained that the initiative was designed to create an enabling environment for market women to properly track and keep business records in real time.

He said: “The essence of the programme is to help market women organise their businesses in a way that allows them to grow effectively. With proper records and real-time data, they can easily access grants, funding and business support opportunities because they can clearly show how their businesses are performing and growing.

“We are also partnering with government and private sector stakeholders, including financial service providers, who offer loans to support and expand their businesses while ensuring they are financially included in the growing economy.”

One of the beneficiaries, Fatima Olarewaju, a provisions trader at the Central Market, expressed appreciation to the organisers for the training.

“My experience with the programme has really helped me. Before they came, I did not know how to properly borrow money for business. But now, I have seen positive changes because I can secure loans, manage them and repay with ease without running into losses.

“Unlike before, when I spent money carelessly and found it difficult to repay loans, I now understand proper financial management. I thank T4MW for the enlightenment and assistance they rendered to us. May God continue to uplift them,” she said.

Earlier, Gloria Onolemhemhen, Innovation Champion, who addressed participants virtually, noted that the programme was designed to tackle economic challenges and share key strategies for strengthening financial inclusion.

She also called for greater collaboration among the government, relevant agencies, and other stakeholders.

In her goodwill message, Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, Kwara State Commissioner for Women Affairs, commended the organisers for promoting business inclusivity and deliberate investment in women.

Represented by Bello Risikat from the ministry, the commissioner noted that women continue to face systemic challenges such as inadequate funding, adding that government alone cannot address all the challenges.

She stressed that women remain critical stakeholders in economic growth, noting that equipping them with the right business and financial tools would help reduce poverty and expand investment opportunities.

The event was attended by major market leaders in Kwara State, president of Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Kwara, NGOs, and market women from Oja-Oba, Oja-Tuntun, Ipata and Mandate markets.