Ethica trains Muslim women in digital skills, business development

In an increasingly digital economy, can women-owned businesses thrive without the skills to market, create and connect online? Ethica Microfinance Bank is seeking to bridge this gap through its DigiCraft initiative, designed to equip Muslim women with practical digital and business skills. Muslim News reports.

Ethica Microfinance Bank has trained Muslim women in digital skills and business development as part of efforts to improve their capacity to grow and compete in an increasingly technology-driven marketplace.

The training was organised under the first edition of Ethica DigiCraft, a digital empowerment initiative, held recently in Lagos during the Al-Muminaat Professional Training Programme.

According to a statement by Ethica’s Head of Marketing Communication and Partnerships, Mr. Sodiq Oyeleke, the programme was designed to equip participants with practical digital skills that could improve business visibility, attract customers and create new economic opportunities.

Ethica is a pioneer in Nigeria’s digital non-interest banking sector, powered by Ethica Microfinance Bank.

Women learn Canva, CapCut, other digital tools

Participants were trained in the use of Canva for graphic design and CapCut for video editing, alongside other digital tools that could help them promote their businesses and engage customers online.

The programme also exposed the participants to practical ways of leveraging digital technology to strengthen their businesses and achieve sustainable growth.

Ethica targets 1,000 women

The Managing Director of Ethica Microfinance Bank, Mr. Tajudeen Sekoni, said the financial institution planned to train more than 1,000 women through the DigiCraft programme.

Mr. Sekoni said the initiative formed part of Ethica’s broader effort to empower communities beyond providing financial services.

“The partnership with Al-Muminaat is just the starting point. We are also collaborating with NASFAT, Ansar-Ud-Deen, FOMWAN, and other Islamic women’s groups to ensure the benefits of the Ethica Digicraft Empowerment Programme reach more women,” he said.

Adekomaiya urges participants to leverage digital skills

The Head of Corporate and Business Banking at Ethica, Mrs Funke Adekomaiya, urged the participants to combine the digital skills acquired with prudent financial management to strengthen their businesses and improve their financial capacity.

“At Ethica, which is a non-interest digital banking platform, we believe that true empowerment goes beyond providing financial services. It means equipping people with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive,” she said.

Mrs Adekomaiya said DigiCraft was intended to help Muslim women take advantage of digital opportunities, strengthen their businesses and contribute more meaningfully to the economy.

Participants commend initiative
Participants described the training as timely, saying the skills acquired would help them adapt to the growing digital marketplace.

One of the participants, Aisha AbdulRahman, said the training had changed her understanding of how digital tools could be used to expand a business.

“I am so happy to be one of the participants of this training; it has opened my eyes to how digital skills can help me reach more customers and grow my business. I appreciate Ethica and Al-Muminaat for providing this opportunity for us,” she said.

Another participant, Khadijah Bello, said the programme gave her the confidence to begin promoting her business online.
“I have always wanted to promote my business online but didn’t know where to start. DigiCraft has given me the medium and knowledge to take that next step,” she said.

The initiative is part of Ethica’s broader ‘Empowering Lives, Creating Impact’ programme and is expected to expand through partnerships with Islamic organisations and women’s groups.

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