Fabrizio Cascetta, Intern

Empowering Sokoto: A Hub for Women's Empowerment

In the heart of Sokoto State, Nigeria, where access to digital devices is limited, a powerful transformation is beginning to take root. The region faces a stark gender disparity in access to education and economic opportunities with a literacy rate of only 29% among women compared to 59% for men. 

Source: World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews (2022)

This gap contributes to widespread poverty, limits economic prospects, and perpetuates inequality. The Association of Northern Women Entrepreneurs (ANWE), a grant awardee of the Tadamon Accelerator Programme, is working to change the status quo. After receiving $10,000 in Tadamon Accelerator Grants, ANWE established its Sustainable Impact Hub in Sokoto embarking on a mission to empower young women by equipping them with digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and life skills, to bridge the gender gap and improve the overall well-being of the community. Hafsat Dange, the Project Manager at ANWE speaks of Tadamon Accelerator in these words “The concept of creating a female-centric hub has been in development since 2018. However, we were unable to fully realize this vision until we encountered the Tadamon Accelerator Programme. Being selected to participate in the programme marked a turning point for us. Tadamon provided invaluable insights into building a stronger nonprofit, effective fundraising, aligning our impact with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and developing a compelling social pitch deck for investors.”

Along with financial support from Tadamon Accelerator, ANWE leveraged its resources, and collaborations with external organisations securing an additional $9,021 to support the Hub. Key partnerships, such as the Centre for Renewable Energy and Action for Climate Change, LEAP AFRICA and Metro E-Corporate Service Limited have been instrumental in expanding educational access for girls and promoting inclusivity within the digital economy.

The Sustainable Impact Hub

The Sustainable Impact Hub tackles multiple challenges through a holistic approach offering a safe space where young women and girls can develop digital, entrepreneurial, and essential life skills. This space fosters confidence, competence, and independence while improving digital literacy and entrepreneurship training. The Hub has empowered 147 individuals, including 107 young women equipping them with digital and entrepreneurship skills to take charge of their futures, to and have access to economic opportunities and resources. As a testament to the Hub’s ability to provide access to financial independence, one notable success story is Fatima Ahmad Lawal, a participant of the Hub who shared, “The entrepreneurship training helped me start my fashion business. I now support myself financially and encourage other women to join this program.”

Training session

In addition to the training, participants in the Hub also receive mentorship in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), fostering innovation and encouraging them to pursue excellence in the field. Zainab Ibrahim Dogondaji’s experience highlights the transformative impact of ICT knowledge on her business, “Before joining the Digital Literacy program at the Hub, I struggled with basic computer skills to grow my business. The training gave me the confidence to market my skills effectively and manage my business with greater competence.” Today, Zainab now runs her own graphic design business, achieving financial independence and inspiring other women in her community. 

Participation is key to a positive outcome

The Journey is Not Over Yet!

Building on its success, ANWE is looking to replicate the project across more regions in Sokoto, expanding its reach and deepening its impact. By scaling up the intervention, ANWE aims to empower even more women and girls, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

ANWE’s journey exemplifies how grassroots organizations can drive transformative change in communities by addressing systemic inequalities. ANWE stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with the right support, training, and opportunities, even the most entrenched challenges can be overcome. As ANWE continues its work, it lights the way for others to follow, proving that resilience and empowerment are the true columns of change.