Thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria and the African continent can now gain critical AI and digital skills to expand their businesses and trade continent-wide. Google and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat have launched the ‘AfCFTA Digital Inclusion & Entrepreneurship Programme,’ a new, free training initiative powered by the Google Hustle Academy.

Small businesses are the backbone of Africa’s economy, generating nearly 80% of jobs across the continent. This programme is designed to close the digital skills gap by providing entrepreneurs with AI-powered solutions and localized training that addresses the real-world demands of today’s market. The initiative will build on the success of the Google Hustle Academy, which has supported over 18,000 SMEs across Africa since 2022.

H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, commented on the partnership’s significance. “The Programme aligns with the transformative goal of the AfCFTA, particularly outlined in the Protocol on Digital Trade and the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, to position MSMEs, women, youth, persons with disabilities, rural farmers, and other stakeholders as key drivers and beneficiaries of the AfCFTA.  It  is the demonstration of our commitment to fostering digital inclusion and empowering MSMEs to trade under the AfCFTA using digital technologies.”

“Technology is a powerful equalizer, and this partnership is about providing thousands of African entrepreneurs with the practical tools and knowledge to unlock new opportunities,” said Charles Murito, Google’s Regional Director for Government Affairs and Public Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“By focusing on critical areas like AI, e-commerce, and cross-border trade, we’re helping to build a more connected and prosperous digital ecosystem across the continent. This is a testament to our ongoing commitment to Africa’s vibrant and dynamic business community.”

A Curriculum for Continental Growth

The training focuses on action-oriented learning through three core modules, and will be delivered in English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese to ensure accessibility for entrepreneurs across Africa.

Cross-Border Digital Trade: Co-created with the AfCFTA Secretariat, this module turns policy into practice. Entrepreneurs will learn to find new markets, adapt products, and master the logistics of cross-border payments and shipping.

Cloud for Small Businesses: This module focuses on using cloud tools to boost efficiency and cut costs. Participants get hands-on training with Google Workspace for teamwork and Google Cloud for secure operations.

AI for Productivity: This module provides practical skills to scale a business using AI. Entrepreneurs will learn to use tools like Google Gemini to automate tasks, create marketing content, and analyze customer data.

UpSkill Universe, a leading digital skills training provider, will manage the programme delivery. “Entrepreneurs across Africa are already driving change. We recognise the challenges they face, from the rise of AI to shifting customer behaviours,” said Gori Yahaya, CEO of UpSkill Universe. “This collaboration ensures we can equip businesses with the practical tools and technologies they need to grow, scale, and thrive.”

Eligibility and Application Details

Applications for the programme are now open. The initiative is designed for SMEs that have been in operation for at least six months and are based in selected AfCFTA member states, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco.

Mastercard and Zenith Bank have collaborated to launch the Essential Debit Card, scalable solution designed to enhance access to secure digital payments in Nigeria.

L–R: Oluwadamilare Mesimo, Director, Account Management at Mastercard; Dr. Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager for West Africa at Mastercard; Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, GMD/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc; Dr. Adobi Nwapa, Executive Director, Zenith Bank Plc; Dr. Celestina Appeal, AGM/Group Head, Card Services, Zenith Bank Plc.

The card is tailored to meet the everyday financial needs of underserved populations, including low-income earners, who have historically faced barriers to formal banking services.

The introduction of this card comes at a time when Nigeria’s digital economy is gaining significant momentum. According to data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), electronic payment transactions reached ₦1.08 quadrillion in 2024, an 80% increase from ₦600 trillion in 2023.

Point-of-sale (PoS) transactions also surged to ₦19.4 trillion, an 81% year-on-year rise, reflecting the growing trust among consumers and merchants in digital platforms and a rising demand for accessible financial tools.

Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager and Area Business Head for West Africa at Mastercard, said: “At Mastercard, we believe that inclusion fuels innovation, and innovation must be inclusive by design.

The Essential Debit Card offers a gateway to economic opportunity for millions. Through this collaboration with Zenith Bank, we are scaling impact by meeting people where they are, with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.”

Dame Dr. Adaora Umoji, OON, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive at Zenith Bank plc, said: “This launch aligns with our ambition to drive financial inclusion at a larger scale.

“By offering an affordable, secure and practical digital payment solution, we’re empowering more Nigerians to participate in the formal economy, supporting not only individual progress but national economic growth.

“Together, we’re breaking barriers to everyday commerce and moving a step closer toward closing the financial inclusion gap in Nigeria.”

Zenith Bank began issuing the Essential Debit Card in July 2025 across its national network of physical branches and digital platforms. Customers can choose between a physical or virtual card, depending on their preferences.

As one of the first tier-one banks in Nigeria to adopt Mastercard’s Essential Debit framework, Zenith Bank is strengthening its ability to reach high-potential, underserved market segments through simplified onboarding and lower issuance cost.

By combining Mastercard’s global network and trusted technology with Zenith Bank’s nationwide reach, the Essential Debit Card delivers a simple, secure and affordable payment solution that aligns with how Nigerians live, work and transact today.

This collaboration reinforces a shared commitment to unlocking inclusive growth and accelerating the transition toward a more digitally empowered economy.

TD Africa, West Africa’s leading technology distribution giant, reaffirmed its industry leadership at the Schneider Electric Innovation Day Nigeria 2025, an event that brought together the country’s most influential stakeholders in technology, energy, infrastructure, and public policy.

The gathering, which doubled as Schneider Electric’s 25th anniversary in Nigeria, attracted more than 450 participants, including IT partners, automation engineers, electrical consultants, architects, prescribers, end users, and senior government officials.

This year’s theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Energy Future: Policy, Innovation, and Investment,” focused on accelerating strategic conversations around energy transition and national development.

A major highlight of the event was the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TD Africa and Schneider Electric for the joint development of Future-Ready, AI-Powered Data Centres across Nigeria.

These next-generation facilities, built for both Core and Edge environments, are expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, aligning directly with the country’s ambitions for resilience, sustainability, and technological advancement, and supporting emerging technologies, and enabling enterprises to compete globally.

Signing on behalf of TD Africa was Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of the Zinox Group, whose presence underscored the significance of the alliance.

In his remarks, Dr. Ekeh described the partnership as a significant stride toward the nation’s digital evolution. “This partnership is a testimony to TD Africa’s commitment to championing Africa’s digital future.

“Building AI-powered, resilient, and sustainable data centres is not just an investment in technology; it is an investment in the competitiveness of Nigerian enterprises for the next decade.

“Together with Schneider Electric, we are building the infrastructure that will support a smarter, greener, and more prosperous Nigeria,” he stated.

The ceremony also featured contributions from notable industry leaders, including Walid Sheta, Zone President, Middle East & Africa; and Canninah Dladla, Cluster President, Schneider Electric.

Senior executives from the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Nigeria LNG, Aradel Holdings, SEforALL, and several key government agencies participated in panel discussions that underscored the urgent need for transformative partnerships, policy alignment, and long-term investments to support Nigeria’s evolving energy and digital landscape.

With this new MoU, TD Africa strengthens its long-standing reputation as a catalyst in West Africa’s digital transformation. The collaboration synergises TD Africa’s expansive distribution network and technological influence with Schneider Electric’s global expertise in energy management and automation.

The result will be a new class of data centre infrastructure that is secure, energy-efficient, scalable, compliant with global sustainability standards, and capable of supporting Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

As Nigeria looks ahead to a future powered by innovation and clean energy, TD Africa remains committed to driving the partnerships, ecosystems, and infrastructure that will secure the nation’s digital competitiveness for years to come.