SMALL businesses in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda are gaining vital digital skills through the MoMo Coach chatbot, a collaborative initiative by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, MTN Group Fintech, and Arifu. This programme aims to digitise operations, improve financial literacy, and connect businesses to digital marketplaces, benefitting nearly one million small business owners.
As part of the global Mastercard Strive Initiative, MoMo Coach addresses key challenges small businesses in sub-Saharan Africa face, including limited access to digital tools, financial services, and market networks. The region, heavily impacted by the pandemic, saw only 27.65 percent of businesses adopting digital tools by late 2022, a modest rise from 19.44 percent in 2020. The initiative aims to close this gap, offering accessible upskilling content through widely used messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger.
Revolutionising business with MoMo Coach
The MoMo Coach solution, powered by Arifu’s Grasp Platform, delivers micro-learning experiences via mobile messaging. This approach makes learning flexible and accessible, providing small business owners with practical advice on topics such as ‘How to Start Your Business,’ ‘Money Management,’ and ‘Grow and Secure Your Business.’
‘Small businesses are vital to Africa’s growth and create opportunities for a more resilient and inclusive regional economy. We are delighted to catalyse a partnership between MTN Group Fintech and Arifu to equip almost one million small business owners with the digital skills and knowledge essential for thriving in an increasingly digital economy, setting them up for success,’ said Subhashini Chandran, Senior Vice President of Social Impact for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa at the Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth.
MTN Group Fintech CEO, Serigne Dioum, emphasised the broader vision: ‘Empowering small businesses with digital skills is key to driving inclusive growth in Africa. Through MoMo Coach, we are unlocking opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive in the digital economy, strengthening communities, and shaping the future of business across the continent.’
Impact across Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda
Since its launch, the programme has reached over 930,000 MTN customers, merchants, and agents in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda. Of these, more than 75,000 small business owners have accessed free digital courses, and over 45,000 actively engage with MoMo Coach’s content.
One of the success stories is Aminata, a 31-year-old entrepreneur from Gôh-Djiboua, Côte d’Ivoire, who runs a shoe and clothing business. Aminata credits MoMo Coach with helping her better manage her finances and boost sales: ‘Before, I used all my profits to buy new stock, which left me using my capital for expenses. Now, I split my profits: one part for business growth, another for expenses, and some savings for other projects,’ she said. Aminata has also started leveraging WhatsApp to expand her customer base. ‘When I post my goods, I sell more. My income has increased.’
Empowering a region’s future
This initiative is part of Mastercard Strive’s overarching goal to support 18 million small businesses globally, providing them with digital tools, access to capital, and the networks they need to thrive. The collaboration between Mastercard, MTN Group Fintech, and Arifu exemplifies the power of partnerships in addressing structural challenges and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs.
By making digital learning resources accessible, MoMo Coach is transforming how small businesses navigate the digital economy, ensuring they are not only resilient but poised for growth. With such programs, the future of entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa looks brighter than ever.
