On 27^th April 2023, Ajira Digital Program in partnership with the Boda Boda Association of Kenya (BAK) launched a Digital Champions pilot program at the Mchanganyiko Hall in Kibera to increase the adoption, usage, and consumption of digital solutions among the two and three-wheeler riders together with other blue-collar workers. The workshop engaged 73 young riders and volunteers to champion digital literacy amongst their peers through coaching and mentorship using local languages that are easily understood.

They underwent training on digital skills offered by Ajira Digital Program to enable them to use different digital platforms including e-commerce, gig work, social media, logistics, knowledge service-based, and e-government platforms. With most of them owning a smartphone, the champions will manage to access markets and promote their services through different digital platforms.

Here are some of the highlights from the workshop:

 “Change is inevitable and with technology comes a lot of change. As a rider, I would keep waiting for clients and gigs at one of my local supermarkets until one day my business was going down. I came to realize that it was resulting from more competitive and technologically connected riders from other areas who would access most work around my area. They were using digital platforms to access wider markets. In addition, they undergo due diligence before onboarding to these platforms as well as soft skills training such as customer services skills, making them more trusted riders. I had to just join the bandwagon.” – Peter Opiyo – Rider with Sendy digital platform.

“Ajira Digital Program is mandated to create digital and digitally-enabled work for young people in Kenya of which the blue-collar sector is a key sector in providing work opportunities. The Program has partnered with various contributors and stakeholders in the digital economy industry to empower blue-collar actors and enable them to digitize their services and business processes. Just using your smartphone, you can be able to access exponentially opportunities and offer more solutions to other businesses and other individuals.” – Rachel Gathu, Lead Ajira Digital - Private Sector Engagement at KEPSA.

“We are our own employers and therefore any value to our business is welcome. This is why it is important to listen to such solutions that digitization and the digital economy offer and how we can take advantage of this while also mentoring our peers in the industry. We also want our customers to be happy with our services and enjoy the convenience of reaching us.” – Eli Kegode, Chairperson, Boda Boda Association of Kenya Nairobi Sacco.

“How can boda bodas increase their customers, become more visible to a wider market and improve their margins? This is possible by creating your presence online. Start with simple platforms like Facebook and other social media platforms. For instance, you can start an online community with your peers which will attract corporates to your services. Challenges such as reversal payments by customers after offering them services can be curbed by leveraging on communities or even registering with digital platforms like Twiva which acts as intermediaries between you as the service provider and the customers. Social media also helps to keep you in check to avoid a bad reputation from negative feedback from customers. It gives you credibility.” – Esther Kamau – Lead Marketing and Communications Twiva.

“The most important thing in eCommerce is trust and being an entrepreneur, you need to be a reliable provider. Being on a website or having an online presence is a good start to being credible. As a boda boda service provider if you are not selling your motorbike online you could be offering other products and online is where you can start. Such platforms as Air Duka offers you this visibility and selling opportunity at an affordable commission.” – Sandra D~sa, Sales Manager, Air Duka App.

This was the initial workshop before the implementation of such workshops across the country. Ajira Digital Program will continue to identify partners willing to collaborate in the program from blue-collar actors, digital service providers, and private sector organizations. The program also aims that the recruited digital champions will help transform their communities where they embrace digital solutions to expand their businesses and transform their communities.