Tech Collaboration: UpSkill Universe Joins Forces with Google and HP for Business Skills Program for 10,000 African Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
A new initiative, Skills for Business, has been unveiled by UpSkill Universe, in partnership with Google and HP Inc. This programme is specifically designed to equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and South Africa with the essential digital and business skills needed for growth and sustainability in an increasingly digital economy.
The programme aims to directly train 10,000 SMEs and indirectly reach an additional 59,000 individuals by the end of 2025, providing locally relevant, practical training that addresses the current digital and business challenges faced by African entrepreneurs.
The primary objectives of the programme are to equip SMEs with critical digital and business skills, boost productivity and competitiveness, facilitate access to technology and practical tools, and support economic development. The training modules cover key areas like leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for productivity, mastering digital marketing, and launching into e-commerce.
The Skills for Business programme builds on the success of UpSkill Universe’s earlier Hustle Academy Business Bootcamp, which has supported over 15,000 SMEs across Africa since 2022. Participants benefit from collaborative learning environments facilitated by leading tech companies—Google and HP Inc.—bringing global expertise and localized insights.
The programme emphasizes action-oriented, practical learning, with modules tailored to real-world business needs. Participants will develop practical expertise through modules like Unlock Growth with Practical Skills in AI, Digital Marketing, and E-commerce. Ongoing access to online resources ensures continuous upskilling beyond the initial training periods.
The Skills for Business programme is a significant investment in the digital transformation of African SMEs, aiming to build resilience, foster innovation, and drive sustainable economic growth through practical, scalable skills development. The training will be complemented by expert-led virtual workshops hosted by Google and UpSkill Universe, designed to help SMEs expand their customer reach, enhance operations, and build long-term business success.
Google's participation in the Skills for Business programme brings valuable expertise in digital strategy and growth tailored specifically for small businesses. HP LIFE, the HP Foundation's free global business skills training program, is central to the Skills for Business initiative, offering access to over 30 hands-on training modules in eight languages.
UpSkill Universe has launched the Skills for Business programme, a digital and business skills training initiative for 10,000 SMEs in Nigeria and South Africa. The programme prioritizes inclusivity, aiming for at least 50% of participants to be women-owned businesses.
HP has been working to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030, and they are proud to back the Skills for Business programme that gives SMEs the support they need to grow, scale, and succeed. Kristy Grant, Head of B2B & Brand Marketing at Google SSA, stated that small businesses are a driving force for progress across Africa, and it's crucial for them to have access to the right skills and tools to grow.
Gori Yahaya, CEO of UpSkill Universe, stated that the programme aims to equip businesses with practical insights, tools, and technologies, including AI, to grow, scale, and succeed. Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact at HP Inc. and Executive Director of the HP Foundation, emphasized that the Skills for Business program empowers entrepreneurs to access the future of work.
The Skills for Business programme represents a significant step towards bridging the digital skills gap in Africa, enabling SMEs to thrive in the digital economy and contribute to broader job creation and innovation in Nigeria and South Africa. One SME from Lagos shared that the Hustle Academy training reshaped their online customer connection, making a real difference for their business.
- The Skills for Business programme, an initiative by UpSkill Universe, aims to equip 10,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and South Africa with essential digital and business skills.
- The training modules cover key areas such as leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for productivity, mastering digital marketing, and launching into e-commerce, with a focus on practical, real-world business needs.
- Google's participation in the programme brings expertise in digital strategy and growth tailored for small businesses, while HP LIFE offers over 30 hands-on training modules in eight languages.
- The programme emphasizes personal growth and learning, providing access to ongoing upskilling resources and expert-led virtual workshops to help SMEs expand their reach, enhance operations, and build long-term business success.
){kind=link}