WE-Elevate Unites DCO and Members to Boost Women in Digital Business
▼ Summary
– The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) announced the expansion of its WE-Elevate program for female-led MSMEs across all its Member States during the UN General Assembly.
– WE-Elevate is a capacity-building program that helps female entrepreneurs transition their businesses from offline to online operations through digital skills training.
– The program combines online learning, mentoring, and access to e-commerce platforms to teach digital, financial, and entrepreneurial skills for global market expansion.
– According to the DCO Secretary-General, the program aims to ensure the digital economy acts as a bridge to opportunity and is foundational to inclusive digital prosperity.
– This initiative supports UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Gender Equality and Decent Work, and applications are now open for eligible businesses.
A major international initiative is now scaling up to empower women entrepreneurs across the globe. The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) has announced the full expansion of its WE-Elevate program to all its Member States. The announcement was made during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, marking a significant step in the organization’s mission to foster inclusive digital economies. This program is specifically designed to support female-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing them with the essential tools to thrive online.
Initially piloted in Rwanda, WE-Elevate has already demonstrated its effectiveness. The program serves as a comprehensive capacity-building initiative that guides businesses through a digital transformation. It combines online learning, personalized mentoring, and practical access to major e-commerce platforms. The curriculum is structured to take entrepreneurs on a step-by-step journey, starting with foundational digital literacy and advancing to sophisticated skills for managing cross-border online sales. This process helps businesses formalize their operations, significantly broaden their customer reach, and create sustainable jobs.
The program’s expansion represents a core commitment to ensuring women are not left behind in the digital revolution. DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya emphasized the broader vision, stating that WE-Elevate is about building a new social contract for the digital age. She described it as a practical example of multilateral cooperation, where member states unite to make the digital economy a bridge to opportunity rather than a source of division. She highlighted the powerful ripple effect, noting that when one woman gains digital access, it can transform her family, her community, and ultimately, her entire nation.
By transitioning female-led MSMEs from offline operations to becoming digital-first brands, WE-Elevate directly contributes to key UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Gender Equality and Decent Work and Economic Growth. Participants gain critical skills in e-commerce, which unlocks doors to international markets, promotes financial inclusion, and enables scalable business growth.
Applications for the WE-Elevate program are currently being accepted from eligible MSMEs in all DCO Member States. Entrepreneurs who are ready to begin their journey toward building a globally competitive digital brand can register their interest directly through the official program website.
(Source: MEA Tech Watch)