Microsoft announced Wednesday that it is partnering with African mobile payments service M-PESA to provide digital skills training to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across multiple African countries.
The partnership aims to equip MSMEs with technology tools and critical business skills to help them succeed and drive economic growth, through access to Microsoft’s online community training platform.
“We’re excited to partner with Microsoft to upskill entrepreneurs and provide them with business tools that will enable them to run their businesses better and grow,” said Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, managing director of M-PESA Africa.
M-PESA, which connects over 60 million customers across Africa, will offer Microsoft’s training programs on basic accounting, financial planning and other areas to MSMEs in Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Congo and Tanzania.
Gerald Maithya, head of Microsoft’s Africa Transformation Office, said digital skills are key for MSMEs to thrive and actively participate in African economies. He said Microsoft is “proud to be at the forefront of driving MSME development and financial inclusion.”
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With Africa’s youthful population, the continent could supply the next generation of the global workforce. However, analysts say the widening skills gap must be addressed. MSMEs account for 40% of GDP and over 90% of new jobs in emerging economies, yet up to 80% fail in their first five years.
Lopokoiyit said empowering MSMEs creates a ripple effect in local communities due to their outsized economic footprint.
Maithya emphasized that providing African MSMEs with digital tools can significantly enhance financial inclusion and support sustainable, inclusive growth.
The training partnership aligns with the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goal of reducing inequality by empowering developing economies. Microsoft aims to digitally enable 10 million African SMEs through upskilling initiatives like this collaboration.
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