Mastercard, Arifu, and MTN Empower 1 Million Small Businesses with Digital Tools and Training

Mastercard Strive has partnered with Arifu and MTN Group to support about one million small businesses in Cote’ D’Ivoire and Uganda to digitize their operations, increase the use of digital financial services and access digital marketplaces through the MoMo Coach chatbot. This new phase equips small businesses with digital skills, enabling them to adopt digital tools, access capital, and engage more effectively in digital marketplaces.

The MoMo Coach solution, powered by Arifu’s Grasp Platform, uses mobile messaging to deliver micro-learning experiences. It is accessible across multiple channels, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, SMS and MoMo. This gives small business owners and entrepreneurs flexibility in accessing practical, actionable tips to unlock growth opportunities in the digital economy.

The program has been rolled out in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda, reaching over 930,000 MTN customers, merchants, and agents, with more than 75,000 small business owners accessing free digital courses and over 45,000 actively engaging with MoMo Coach. Courses offered include “How to Start Your Business,” “Money Management,” and “Grow and Secure Your Business.” These courses are based on insights derived from MoMo merchants and agents, and they address key challenges like affordability and access to relevant business knowledge—enabling small business owners to navigate the digital landscape.