Meta jointly launches the Meta Boost in Ethiopia in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Skills and Summer Media in a ceremony held on Thursday September 22, 2022 at the Ethiopian Skylight hotel with the presence of government officials and representatives of Meta.
As indicated on the ceremony, Meta Boost is a suite of tools and training programs and events dedicated to helping small businesses grow by equipping more people with the digital skills they need to compete for jobs in the digital economy while also making meaningful connections with potential consumers.
Following its successful pilot in 2020, the program, which is being implemented by Summer Media, has so far trained over 7,000 Small and Medium Businesses (SMBS) in Ethiopia on how to use Meta’s apps (Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) to boost their businesses online. The program is set to train an additional 5,000 SMBs this year with the training being held virtually across the country to ensure accessibility for all.
Speaking on the ceremony, State Minister of the Ministry of Labour and Skills, Nigussu Tilahun said, the Ministry of Labour is appreciative of this partnership with Meta and Summer Media. “We are cognizant of the role digital technologies play in promoting small and medium businesses in Ethiopia and believe businesses that have signed up for this program have benefitted tremendously.”
“Meta is committed to the economic recovery of Ethiopia by implementing the Meta Boost Program to support micro, small and medium-sized businesses. We are encouraged by the progress of the program since its inception to date and we believe it has benefited businesses that have signed up,” said Mercy Ndegwa, Meta’s Director of Public Policy in East and Horn of Africa.
Meta has been supporting SMBs across Sub-Saharan Africa through a number of Economic Impact programs, including Boost with Facebook, SheMeans Business, Digify Pro, and Aspiring Entrepreneurs Program. These have been critical in equipping thousands of SMBs to leverage digital tools to achieve their business goals. Since June 2020, Meta has been offering these programs virtually through instructor-led live webinar sessions featuring presentations, demos and virtual discussions.
