Nigerian Women Use Smartphones to Drive Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship

In a digital age where technology serves as a tool for empowerment, several Nigerian women have leveraged smartphones to escape economic hardship and build sustainable careers. Their stories, shared with Technext, highlight how mobile platforms have transformed personal devices into instruments of opportunity, enabling entrepreneurship and financial independence [1].

Kehinde Fagbemi, a bead maker, turned to her phone as a necessity when traditional employment opportunities did not materialize after her National Youth Service Corps. She utilized WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube not just for marketing but also for learning digital skills such as graphic design and video editing. The mobile devices became her office and showroom, allowing her to showcase her work beyond her immediate community. However, she faced practical challenges such as limited storage and the risk of becoming overly reliant on technology. Despite this, she emphasizes the sense of ownership and pride that comes with building her own business [1].

Oyindamola Ogundana, another entrepreneur, expanded her opportunities by using her phone to access online courses and freelance platforms. Through Trello, Asana, Coursera, and Udemy, she improved her skills and connected with potential clients. She acknowledges the learning curve associated with adopting new technologies and the initial skepticism from her community. Yet, she believes in the power of education, patience, and finding supportive communities to overcome these obstacles. Her journey reflects the broader potential of mobile technology to bridge gaps in access to skills and information [1].

Sade Ogidan, a soft-spoken entrepreneur in the fashion and office supply sector, credits her phone for providing a platform to advertise her products. Through WhatsApp status and Facebook stories, she has expanded her customer base and increased visibility for her brand. Despite the high cost of data, she remains optimistic about the positive impact technology has had on her business. Her approach is grounded in consistency and realism, advising other women to remain patient and persistent in their efforts to build a digital presence [1].

These women embody a quiet yet significant shift in the use of technology from passive consumption to active creation. Their experiences demonstrate that even a basic phone can be a powerful tool for economic mobility when used strategically. The transformation is not just about selling goods but about building a sense of agency and independence in a world where traditional paths to success are often limited.

Their stories challenge the perception that paid employment is the only route out of economic hardship. Instead, they highlight the potential of technology to enable self-employment, skill development, and community engagement. As mobile internet continues to expand in reach, these narratives provide a blueprint for how technology can be harnessed to foster economic resilience and innovation [1].

Source: [1] ‘How I built my life with my phone’: stories of women who used tech to escape ‘poverty’ (https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/6896f30b153ea34acdd1635e/)