In 2023, the World Bank launched the ‘Gina Mata, Gina Al-Umma’ program, a digital skills training initiative designed to equip girls and young women in Northern Nigeria with the tools to access economic opportunities. Meaning “Building Women, Empowering Communities” in Hausa, the program targets vulnerable groups including those in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, survivors of gender-based violence, and young women facing economic hardship and has trained 1,295 young women across six states.

Practical Skills for Real Opportunities

The program goes beyond theoretical training, equipping participants with market-driven digital skills to increase employability. The curriculum covers content marketing, social media marketing, online safety, financial literacy, and freelancing opportunities in the virtual economy. By integrating socio-emotional skills and mentorship, it ensures participants can navigate professional challenges confidently.

Hadiza Mohammed, a resident of the Kuchingoro IDP Camp in Abuja, exemplifies the program’s impact. Previously struggling after the demolition of her home, Hadiza gained digital literacy skills and leveraged them to explore remote work opportunities. “This training has opened my eyes to many things I didn't know before,” she shares.

The program's impact is evident in the stories of women like Hadiza who have gained the knowledge and confidence to advocate for her own safety and empowerment. Hadiza is one of over 1,000 beneficiaries who have been empowered to become agents of change in their communities. 

A Multi-Tiered Approach to Learning

The Gina Mata, Gina Al-Umma program adopted a structured model to maximize impact:

1. Pilot Launch – An initial phase trained 250 young women, testing a curriculum that combined digital skills with practical career pathways, online safety, financial literacy, and life skills,

2. Makoyar Fasaha (Digital Skills Instructor) – 120 instructors were trained to deliver digital training, with top-achieving graduates mentoring new students, ensuring a self-sustaining empowerment model.

3. Dalibar Fasaha (Student Engagement in STEM) – 400 female students were introduced to STEM subjects through all-girls Junior Engineers, Technicians, and Scientists (JETS) Clubs, sparking interest in science and technology.

4. Matan Fasaha (Bridging the Gap) – This track focused on underrepresented communities:

• Digital Literacy for IDP Camp Residents & Survivors of GBV: 200 young women received digital skills training, financial inclusion education, and smartphones to facilitate access to online opportunities such as mobile money platforms.
• Virtual Economy Training for Remote Work: 125 young women were trained in freelancing and remote work opportunities. A midline report revealed that 27% of participants increased their income through integrating social media marketing into their businesses.

5. Fasaha 4.0 (Advanced Digital Training) – 200 participants, including women affected by fistulas and tertiary students, received advanced training, with some earning over $3,245 and 20% securing full-time jobs.

Digital Skills as a Pathway to Economic Resilience

Access to digital skills training provides young women with the ability to generate income in a region where traditional job opportunities are limited. By equipping participants with digital marketing, e-commerce, and remote work skills, the program fosters economic independence and resilience in fragile contexts.

Juliet Nwoabodo, a facilitator of the Digital Marketing module, emphasizes the impact: “There are so many opportunities for women in tech, but they often go untapped. This program is changing that by giving women the skills and confidence to enter the digital economy.”

Scaling up through Girls’ Education Initiatives

The success of Gina Mata, Gina Al-Umma has informed the World Bank’s broader Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, which aims to improve secondary education for girls aged 10 – 20. By integrating digital skills training into school curricula, equipping teachers, and providing access to computer labs, AGILE ensures that more young women acquire essential tech skills. 

Digital skills are no longer optional but a necessity for economic empowerment. Gina Mata, Gina Al-Umma demonstrates that, even in fragile settings, providing young women with the right tools and training can open doors to sustainable livelihoods and a brighter future.