Women in Digital Business Initiative: Advancing entrepreneurship, gender equality, and sustainable growth

An international public-private initiative builds digital and entrepreneurship skills with accessible training for women to thrive in the fast-evolving digital economy.

By the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Training Centre of the ILO, and Microsoft Philanthropies

The Women in Digital Business (WIDB) initiative is a global programme designed to equip women entrepreneurs with the digital skills required to thrive in an evolving AI-driven economy.

Developed by the International Labour Organization, in partnership with ICTILO (the International Training Centre of the ILO), and Microsoft Philanthropies, the programme focuses on building digital and entrepreneurship skills for women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses online. 

WIDB aims to bridge the gender gap in digital entrepreneurship by providing accessible training to women, regardless of where they are on their entrepreneurial journey.

With tailored learning tracks, WIDB ensures that women entrepreneurs, including those in remote communities, can build the digital proficiency they need to succeed. The programme empowers women to develop essential skills, including in areas such as digital literacy, marketing, accounting, AI and cybersecurity.  

Training the trainers

Employing a scalable train-the-trainer model, WIDB enables certified Lead Trainers to pass on their knowledge and skills to women in their communities.

So far, the programme has certified 600 Lead Trainers, who have in turn extended their expertise by training almost 25,000 entrepreneurs across 15 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 

In Nigeria, for example, WIDB is working with the women’s network under the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association – NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) – to train 600 women around the country – entrepreneurs like Adebisi.

Adebisi, is a business owner who participated in the programme to learn more about digital platforms for marketing and selling her wares.

Over a period of months, she has been able to increase sales and improve customer feedback through her newfound digital marketing skills, as well as connecting and networking with women from different walks of life.  

Empowering women at their own pace

The WIDB programme is delivered through a combination of self-guided modules, webinars, and mentorship, hosted on an innovative learning platform. The content and platform allow participants to access quality training at their own pace, with the flexibility to apply their new skills directly to their business operations. 

Through digital empowerment, WIDB not only transforms individual businesses but also strengthens communities, creating ripple effects that drive sustainable economic growth and social development.

Advancing sustainable development

The initiative contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) and poverty reduction, and sustainable communities (SDG 11).

The WIDB initiative is a crucial step towards a more equitable and inclusive digital future, where women entrepreneurs play a central role in the global digital economy. 

We invite interested institutions, organizations and individuals to join us in supporting this initiative by applying directly through the platform and helping women entrepreneurs build a brighter digital future for all. Together, we can empower more women in every community around the world to succeed and thrive in the digital age.  

The Women in Digital Business Initiative is featured at SDG Digital on 20‑21 September.

Use SDG Digital resources and promote on social media.

Header image credit: Adobe Stock