In a move set to accelerate Africa's digital economy, UpSkill Universe has partnered with Google and HP Inc. to launch a major skills initiative for small businesses across Nigeria and South Africa. Dubbed Skills for Business, the programme aims to equip 10,000 small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs with practical skills in areas like AI, digital marketing, and e-commerce.
Building on the success of the Google Hustle Academy, which has already trained more than 15,000 SMEs since 2022, this expanded programme tackles Africa's persistent digital skills gap that hampers business growth.
UpSkill Universe CEO Gori Yahaya said the initiative would help entrepreneurs adapt to shifting customer behaviours and new technologies. The training will be delivered via HP LIFE, the HP Foundation's free global skills platform, with modules available in eight languages and accessible offline.
Both partners emphasised the programme's focus on practical, action-based learning to deliver tangible growth for businesses. They have also pledged that at least half of the participants will be women entrepreneurs, helping close gender gaps in Africa's business ecosystem.
