The Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to inclusive economic growth through technology.
Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology (BIT), announced this recently when she received the AY Community and Tumishe Johnson Household Foundation on a courtesy visit to her office over the Tech 4 Market Women initiative.
Adelodun, described the initiative as a strategic intervention that aligns with the vision of the present administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to empower women, strengthen the informal sector, and deepen financial inclusion through innovation and technology-driven programmes.
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The Commissioner noted that the training of market women on financial literacy and internet usage is critical to enhancing productivity, improving access to digital financial services, and enabling traders to adapt to the evolving digital economy.
A statement by Muhammed Saka, the Press Secretary of MBIT, the Commissioner emphasised that technology remains a powerful tool for transforming micro and small businesses across the state.
Adelodun equally assured the delegation of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with credible partners to scale up such initiatives, stressing that the Ministry would continue to support programmes that directly impact market women and promote sustainable economic development at the grassroots.
Speaking on behalf of the AY Community and Tumishe Johnson Household Foundation, Solomon Adami, appreciated the warm reception accorded to the delegation by the Commissioner and expressed gratitude for her openness to the engagement, while also seeking the support and partnership of the Kwara State Government to further strengthen and scale the Tech 4 Market Women initiative.
He disclosed that the Tech 4 Market Women initiative has successfully trained 220 market women across selected markets within Ilorin metropolis.
According to him, the training focused on practical financial literacy, basic internet usage, and the use of simple digital tools to support daily trading activities and business growth.
Solomon further revealed that the next phase of the initiative will focus on mentorship and community building, aimed at providing continuous guidance, peer learning, and support for the trained market women.
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He added that the Foundation plans to engage all relevant stakeholders in the state, including government agencies, market associations, financial institutions, and development partners, to achieve its set goals and ensure long-term impact across Kwara State.
