The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with Google Nigeria announces the launch of a Google Hustle Academy Bootcamp, 2022 aimed at providing free online training for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to promote career skills and improve business operations, thereby helping small businesses to be repositioned and increase their revenue generation.
Commenting, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, Director General/CEO of NITDA, said “We are excited about this partnership with Google Nigeria, in line with our initiative of building the capacity of one million software developers by the end of 2023, the programme will assist small businesses grow by increasing revenue, positioning for investment, and building sustainable businesses for the future.”
Similarly, the Head of Brand Reputation, Google Nigeria, Mr. Mojolaoluwa Aderemi-Makinde, said, “We are excited to collaborate with NITDA to empower MSMEs to plan their digital marketing strategies, create business growth plans, identify new markets, access funding opportunities and pitch success”.
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector is a pillar for economic growth and a major provider of employment opportunities in a country. According to the National Bureau for Statistics, SMEs have contributed about 48% to Nigeria’s GDP in the last five years.
Nevertheless, despite its important contribution to the economy of Nigeria, obstacles still stand in the way of the sector’s expansion and advancement. These include a lack of knowledge on how to use digital tools to expand a firm and poor planning and management abilities.
To combat these issues, NITDA has launched a number of programs to reskill and upskill Nigerians from various socioeconomic backgrounds in keeping with the country’s objective for a digital economy, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria (NDEPS).
NITDA, in its mission to further create vast employment opportunities through digital skills has launched an ambitious programme to train one million software developers in the nation.
Therefore, the NITDA-Google Hustle Academy Bootcamp will enable MSMEs to maximize their potentials and key into existing opportunities for socio-economic development.
To ensure smooth and successful programme implementation, the following eligibility criteria for entry into the Bootcamp are set out:
Business Maturity: MSMEs with an existing business plan, with defined product/service offering and willing to scale up;
Size of Operations: Businesses that have at least two full time employees and have been operating for over twelve months; and
Revenue generated: Businesses that have generated profit in the last 12 months or 1-3 months away from break even.
About NITDA
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is committed to implementing the National Digital economy policy for digital Nigeria. Their mandate is to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices in Nigeria.
The priorities of the Agency as outlined in the Agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan are Developmental Regulation, Digital Literacy and Skills, Digital Transformation, Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity, Emerging Technologies and Promotion of Indigenous Content.
About Google
Google Incorporation is an American multinational technology company specializing in Internet-related services and products. These include online advertising technologies, search cloud computing and software. Google is a giant-Tech Company that hires people with broad set of technical skills to solve technology’s greatest challenges and make an impact on several millions of users.
Google Hustle Academy is an initiative under Grow with Google ideals which provides free training, tools and resources to promote skills, career and business growth. The Hustle Academy currently operate in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa to train MSMEs through live workshops, peer networking sessions and mentoring sessions.
