The IgniteHer Bootcamp, a flagship initiative of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has successfully concluded, leaving a lasting impact on 90 female entrepreneurs, just as the world celebrates International Women Day. Over five intensive days, participants gained crucial knowledge, skills, and networks to build and scale their businesses, reinforcing the growing role of women in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Designed to bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurship, the bootcamp provided training in business planning, financial management, and digital transformation. Through expert-led sessions and practical exercises, the participants explored systemic barriers limiting women in business, learned to develop structured business plans, and discovered the power of digital tools to scale their enterprises.
Related: IGNITEHER: NITDA, JICA Empowers Female Entrepreneurs in Nigeria
The program was more than just a training; it was a mindset-shifting experience for many attendees. Participants shared their most impactful lessons, reflecting on how the bootcamp had changed their approach to business;
IgniteHer, Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
Liz Ogah highlighted three core takeaways: “Learning is a continuous process; we should not stop learning. We’ve been enlightened to take full charge of our businesses by being involved in every aspect and being conscious of doing business the right way. Leveraging technology and digital media to grow our businesses is a game-changer.”
For Fatima Muhammad, the bootcamp provided her with solutions to personal and business challenges: “As a small-scale businesswoman, I found it easy to understand how to overcome my problems with my in-laws on gender gap issues. The assignments opened my mind to using digital tools for business planning, and I learned valuable marketing strategies from all the facilitators.”
Read also: NITDA Calls for Stronger Industry Collaboration to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Transformation
Kokoma emphasized the importance of AI in business: “I got exposed to AI and productivity tools I could adopt to enhance my business operations. I also developed a better understanding of my business plan and how to draft my unique Lean Business Model Canvas. This session gave me a total mind shift on being resilient to grow my business.”
For Zara Moris, resilience was a key lesson: “You can start again even when you fall. Women can do better, and as small as my business is, I have learned a lot. AI can help significantly in generating market plans.”
Another participant, Ann Ayorinde, expressed her excitement about going digital: “From unlearning to relearning, this experience has ignited a fire in me to be the best in the agriculture industry. I see myself using technology, and soon, you’ll see Alayofg on every click on the web!”
A major focus of the bootcamp was helping women embrace digital transformation. Many participants noted that they had previously overlooked the potential of AI and digital tools but were now ready to implement them. Ubeydat Ismail reflected: “AI is not just for tech companies; it can revolutionize any industry, including mine. This bootcamp has empowered me to refine my business strategy and embrace technology-driven innovation.”
Similarly, Magdalene-Ada Ogban was thrilled about applying AI to business operations: “During the ‘Leveraging Technology’ session, I learned how to analyze my website and implement changes to optimize my business presence. I also read the Nigerian Startup Act for the first time and was inspired by the benefits and responsibilities it provides for startups.”
