Google and the USAID eTrade Alliance have announced a partnership to expand the reach of the Hustle Academy Program in Kenya.

The collaboration aims to provide 2,500 Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) with access to critical resources and digital tools to foster growth over 18 months. 

This will bring the number of SMBs trained in Kenya to 3,700.

In a statement, Google said small businesses form the backbone of the African economy, yet they lack the essential resources and expert knowledge required for growth and expansion.

The tech giant’s Hustle Academy programme, launched in 2022, was founded to tackle this issue.

It is tasked with providing SMBs across Sub-Saharan Africa with the requisite skills, tools, and knowledge to harness digital technology and secure funding.

The effectiveness of the program is rooted in its five-day bootcamp, which provides hands-on training and actionable advice. 

“The comprehensive curriculum touches on key areas: business strategy, sales enhancement, digital marketing, financial planning, and successful pitching techniques,” Google said. 

Through a strategic partnership with the USAID eTrade Alliance, Google added, capabilities in e-commerce are also integrated, creating a cohesive and practical learning journey. 

During the 2022 Jamhuri Day celebrations, President William Ruto commended the program stating that it showcases Google’s understanding of the entrepreneurial spirit and the desire for knowledge among aspiring hustlers in the society. 

“I commend Google for their visionary approach and unwavering commitment to supporting and uplifting Kenyan entrepreneurs,” Ruto said. 

In 2022 when the program was launched, Hustle Academy graduated over 5,000 SMBs reporting a 74 per cent growth in business post bootcamp. 

Google EA country director Agnes Gathaiya said the partnership with USAID eTrade Alliance allows for the augmentation of such impact.

“This places a special emphasis on harnessing e-commerce to catalyse a robust digital economy across Kenya,” she said. 

“The USAID eTrade Alliance is proud to launch the Google Hustle Academy eCommerce program in Kenya. Our core mandate is to promote economic growth for MSMEs through digital commerce and trade,” USAID eTrade Alliance senior manager for Africa programs Michael Poor said.