NGO trains 200 market women in Kwara on digital, financial literacy

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The TA Community in collaboration with the Kwara Government launched the Technology for Market Women Project (T4MW) initiative to support 200 women working in the informal sector through digital and financial literacy training.

Speaking at the Official launch of the project, the Director of Programmes T4MW, Mr Tunmise Johnson, said the initiative is designed to bridge long-standing gaps in financial access and literacy among women in the informal sector.

“The Tech4MarketWomen initiative is a programme focused on improving the financial literacy and business management skills of market women in Kwara.

“It aims to empower them through training, simplified financial record-keeping tools, and access to resources.

Johnson, who cited data from the National Bureau of Statistics, noted that over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce is engaged in informal work, and more than 70 per cent of these are women, yet many remain financially excluded.

“Women play a critical role in informal trade, microscale agriculture, and agro-processing, but they often lack the financial knowledge and tools to grow,” he said.

He observed that with T4MW, women are equiped with skills in budgeting, record-keeping, and sales tracking, so they can meet the requirements of financial institutions and gain access to loans and grants.

Johnson explained that the initiative includes quarterly training for selected market women, mentorship support, and the launch of a user-friendly mobile app; “SheBalance”, to help them track their savings, expenses, and daily sales.

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Kwara, Mr. Kayode Alabi, commended the initiative, while describing it as a transformative step toward building a more inclusive economy.

“This initiative is designed to uplift and empower our market women, who form the backbone of our local economy.

He expressed the commitment of the state government in ensuring the programme grows and succeeds, while urging beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunities being offered.

In her address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Damilola Yusuf stated that the initiative is a movement to change the narrative in enlightening women to make informed decisions about finances.

She added that the project will create a niche and scale the business of women which will improve their livelihood.
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