Ibali Lam - Storytelling in Digital Transformation
Techstorytelling for rural and township businesses
Small entrepreneurs in South Africa are having a hard time adjusting to the uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for online delivery and the need to pivot new business models are challenging for small business owners, particularly in township and rural areas in the Eastern Cape. There are many worthy digital marketing programmes out there, but the online marketing space is quite competitive. So, how can women in low income communities, with limited internet connectivity access the digital space and become competitive
What is Ibali Lam?
Ibali Lam is a technology adoption program for small women-owned businesses in towships and rural areas negatively affected by technology development and the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to digitizing, it supports SMEs to refine, strengthen and grow their businesses. Ibali Lam's digital platform uses digital storytelling, empathy, digital marketing and frugal innovation
to support businesses to systematically develop digital agility, online presence, access new markets, increase in sales and become more sustainable during and after the pandemic. Watch this short video presentation on Ibali Lam.
As many rural and township business owners do not have access to smart phones and internet access, the program offers tablet computers pre-loaded with the course and internet connectivity to participants who demonstrate need.