Workshop evaluation survey results and peer mentoring scheme

Survey results

In March 2026, the EMMA team surveyed 1,695 women market traders in the South-South (36%), South-West (35%), and North-Central (29%) zones of Nigeria of their views on our financial and digital literacy workshops. Out of the total sample, 1,691 participants (99.8%) reported participating in or hearing about the workshops.

The modules on Digital Payments Platform and Money and Transaction recorded the highest engagement. The results are very positive. Among the 1,663 respondents who evaluated the training, 1,436 participants (86.4%) rated the workshops as very useful.

When combined with those who found it somewhat useful, 98.9% of the reporting participants indicated a positive overall utility. Respondents demonstrated a significant shift from cash across all business activities, with those using "Primarily Cash" for receiving payments dropping from 1,034 to just 68.

Simultaneously, the use of "Both Cash & Digital" for receiving payments surged from 456 to 1,165 respondents, reflecting identical adoption trends across paying suppliers and saving money. When asked why they switched to digital payments, 1,457 respondents (85.9%) cited speed and convenience as the primary driver. Safety over carrying cash was the second most common reason, selected by 1,329 participants (78.4%).

The workshops yielded a high impact on financial habits, with 1,582 respondents indicating they now feel more confident managing their money. Overwhelming majorities also confirmed they now actively track sales and expenses (1,477 participants) and possess greater awareness of online scams (1,488 participants).

85.6% of respondents stated that digital payments have made doing business much easier, and an additional 204 (12.3%) indicated it made it a little easier. The ability to accept payments from customers without cash was the primary reason business became easier, cited by 1,466 respondents (86.5% of the total survey sample).

Faster transactions allowing them to serve more customers (1,157 respondents, or 68.3%) and overall customer base growth (1,143 respondents, or 67.4%) were the next most common factors. 

The adoption of digital payments heavily correlated with business growth, with 1,501 respondents (90.3%) reporting an increase in sales turnover.

Similarly, 1,425 participants (88.9%) experienced a direct increase in overall profits after transitioning to digital methods. 82.1% of respondents stated that digital payments contributed significantly to their profit increase. 

The transition to digital payments has positively impacted respondents' sense of financial control, with 997 women (60.1%) strongly agreeing that they feel more empowered. When combined with those who also agreed, 1,585 participants (95.5%) reported an overall increase in their feelings of empowerment.

Over 88% agreeing or strongly agreeing that they feel less stressed, more secure, and more confident as businesswomen. The highest areas of agreement were feeling more in control of business finances (1,606 participants, or 96.2%) and finding it easier to save money for future goals (1,552 participants, or 93.4%). 

Finally, 92.2% of the respondents would recommend our financial and digital literacy workshops to others.

Wider significance

The study goes beyond mere technical skills, extending to the ethical and responsible use of digital resources. In emerging economies like Nigeria, where digital inclusion is critical for socio-economic development.

Therefore, building digital literacy skills among citizens is essential. It enables them to navigate the growing digital economy, access education, employment, and take part in civic life.

In 2025, we obtained further internal funding. This came from both the Law School and the University International Science Partnership Fund.

The funding enabled us to evaluate the effectiveness of the workshops and to sustain the legacy of this project. Part of the funding is intended for purchasing more smartphones for female traders.