A new initiative aimed at helping small businesses in Nigeria and South Africa adapt to the digital economy has been launched by UpSkill Universe in partnership with HP and Google. Titled “Skills for Business,” the programme will deliver essential training in artificial intelligence (AI), digital marketing, and e-commerce to 10,000 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), with half of all places reserved for women-led businesses.
The programme is designed to strengthen growth, job creation and digital resilience among SMEs, a sector considered the backbone of the African economy. The effort aims to bridge the digital divide and equip entrepreneurs with tools to navigate today’s evolving business landscape.
UpSkill Universe will lead programme delivery and manage partner engagement. Participants will have access to training content via HP LIFE, the HP Foundation’s global online business training platform, available in eight languages across mobile and offline formats. The programme includes over 30 practical modules, covering areas such as productivity with AI, digital marketing strategies, and setting up an e-commerce presence.
Workshops will be delivered virtually, led by experts from UpSkill Universe and Google, focusing on action-oriented learning to help SMEs attract more customers and expand online.
The programme builds on the success of Google’s Hustle Academy Business Bootcamp, which has trained over 15,000 SMEs in Africa since 2022.
By the end of 2025, the initiative aims to directly train 10,000 SMEs and indirectly reach a further 59,000 individuals, reinforcing the role of strategic partnerships in driving Africa’s digital transformation.
