Digital transformation for livelihoods

One test for every tool:does it improve a real livelihood?

Training that does not translate into a livelihood is not success by our own definition, however well attended the cohort was. Four sectors show how we apply that test.

Discuss a livelihoods programmeRead the Impact Report
A farmer in traditional dress standing in a green rice field holding a hoe

Four sectors

Mechanism. Evidence.And the outcome, named plainly.

  • Agriculture

    • SDG 2: Zero Hunger
    • SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth
    The mechanism
    Data, digital tools and local-language content that reach smallholder farmers, extension agents and markets.
    The evidence
    GIZ Digital Transformation for Smallholder Farmers (500 farmers, Kano); about 36,000 farmer records harmonised; Hausa farmer videos under TAAT.
    The outcome
    Mobilisation and baseline are under way for the GIZ project. Income change has not yet been measured.

  • Environmental sustainability

    • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
    • SDG 2: Zero Hunger
    The mechanism
    Climate-smart farming, environmental assessment and open data on environmental risks.
    The evidence
    E-Green Nigeria's #1student1tree campaign at Bayero University Kano (over 300 seedlings at launch, 2016); climate-resilient farming in the GIZ project; Environmental Impact Assessment for the Trans Amadi Micro Agro-Industrial Park; waste dump sites mapped in Kano State.
    The outcome
    Delivered as project outputs. Long-term environmental outcomes have not been measured.

  • Education

    • SDG 4: Quality Education
    • SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth
    • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
    The mechanism
    Competency-based training that ends in a portfolio, a client and a first income.
    The evidence
    IDEAS TVET Creative Media Production: 105 completed, 48 of them women, January to July 2026.
    The outcome
    102 of 105 economically active at completion, and 64.8% reporting paid activity. A tracer study will test whether this holds.

  • Entrepreneurship

    • SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth
    • SDG 5: Gender Equality
    The mechanism
    Enterprise training, incubation and digital tools that help small businesses form and grow.
    The evidence
    42 graduate-led businesses profiled; 40 Tech Bridge ventures selected for incubation; 35 Kano MSMEs trained with GIZ.
    The outcome
    52.4% of IDEAS TVET graduates self-employed at completion. Only 23.8% of profiled businesses are CAC-registered, so formalisation is the next push.

The figures come from our published reports. See how each is defined in the Impact Report.

Fund what works.Measure it honestly.

Tell us the community and the outcome you want to move.

Discuss a livelihoods programme