Facebook has launched an initiative to help equip SMEs in Kenya with digital skills.
Facebook has launched an initiative to help equip small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in Kenya with digital skills that will help entrepreneurs grow their businesses in the increasingly digital economy.
Dubbed “Boost with Facebook”, the US social media giant will work with Wylde International — a local firm that develops businesses — to train 3,000 entrepreneurs in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and Mombasa on how to navigate the digital space, increase awareness of their businesses and connect with new customers online.
“We are…enabling local businesses to use social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram to unlock new business opportunities and compete at a Pan-African and global level. This is a global programme that Facebook runs to arm businesses with the right digital tools to help you increase the visibility and add value to your business and target customers that you would not otherwise have access to,” Facebook Head of Public Policy, East Africa, Mercy Ndegwa, said yesterday.
Ms Ndegwa was until earlier this year Safaricom’s Head of Regulatory and Public Policy.
The training which kicks off next week in Nairobi is free and open to any interested SMEs, with Wylde International indicating that the firm had already started receiving applicants.
The programme targets existing and aspiring business owners.
SMEs account for about 30 percent of the GDP.
“Entrepreneurship plays an integral role in driving Kenya’s economy and providing economic opportunities for Kenyans. Globally, we have more than 1.6 billion people connected to small or medium sized businesses on Facebook,” Ms Ndegwa added.
The launch of Boost with Facebook in Kenya follows launches of similar programmes across Africa including; South Africa, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon, DRC, Benin and Guinea Conakry, and is another step forward in enabling local businesses to unlock new business opportunities.
“The SMEs will be able to instantly have access to a market base of 2.7 billion customers around the world, when they put their business on Facebook,” said Youth Fund chairman Ronald Osumba who was present at the launch.
“The future of business is online, and this gives the entrepreneurs a chance to learn how to build communities around your business and how to leverage on those communities.”
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