Women in Droum are participating in technology training programs aimed at building future skills, with sessions hosted at the Centre de Formation aux Métiers (CFM) in Droum commune. The training initiatives are situated within the Mirriah Department of Niger's Zinder Region, a region where such specialized technical education for women is a significant development. This report, published on May 14, 2026, details the efforts to empower women through digital literacy and technical instruction within the local community. The programs at CFM seek to equip participants with practical skills relevant to emerging technological fields, addressing a critical need for vocational training in rural areas. The training is specifically focused on information technology and electronics maintenance, a field where female participation is notably rare in Niger.
Empowering Women Through Digital Skills
Three young women, identified as out-of-school and facing social and financial vulnerabilities, are currently undergoing training in smartphone maintenance. This particular program is seen as a promising field with high demand due to the widespread use of mobile phones in Droum commune and surrounding areas. One participant, Oumma Abdou Ibra, aged 26, is a housewife who obtained her brevet d’étude du premier cycle (BEPC) ten years ago. She stated that her husband informed her about the training opportunity at the Centre de Formation aux Métiers (CFM), which was open to women. "He then advised me to submit my application to pass the selection test. I succeeded, and today I am undergoing the training," Abdou Ibra said, noting the support she received to pursue this new path.
Abdou Ibra emphasized her motivation for pursuing the technical skills, clearly articulating her aspirations for self-sufficiency. "I chose this profession first to be financially stable, independent, and not always have to ask my husband to take care of all my needs," she explained. "I have faith in this training, and I am convinced that it will allow me to earn a living and even help others." Her determination reflects a broader desire among women in the community to achieve economic independence through acquiring valuable, in-demand skills.
Another participant, Chamsiya Ibrahim, 24, is divorced and relies on her parents for support. She received her BEPC six years ago. Ibrahim described her current situation, stating, "Since my divorce, I live with my parents. For my needs, I turn to them. When they have, they give me, and if they don't have, I have no one to give them to me." Her candid account shows the financial and social vulnerabilities that many women in her position face. She added, "That's how it is, I have to fight and find a job. That's why I am rigorously following this training in the hope of a better tomorrow."
A third participant, Zeinab Rabe, also 26 years old, shares a similar background, being divorced and holding a BEPC diploma. Unlike some of her peers, Zeinab Rabe is currently unemployed, making this training a key pathway to re-entering the workforce and securing her financial future. Her participation further exemplifies the program's focus on assisting women who are particularly vulnerable and in need of viable economic opportunities.
Ibrahim noted the potential financial benefits of the training, which offers a tangible path to economic improvement. "By learning this profession, you can earn up to 1000 CFA francs (a little less than 2 US dollars) per day or more," she noted. "By earning more than 1000 FCFA, I could take care of myself and even help others." This daily income, while seemingly modest by international standards, represents a significant improvement for individuals in rural Niger and can provide a foundation for greater financial stability. The training of smartphone maintenance trainers is part of Component 2, Digital Connectivity, of the PVI Project. Ibrahim expressed gratitude for the initiative, stating, "My greatest wish is to learn this profession and teach it to others. I thank this project which taught this profession to our trainer. I thank it 100%." Her aspiration to become a trainer herself speaks to the program's potential for creating a ripple effect of skill transfer within the community.
Context and Challenges in Rural Tech
The practice of information technology and electronics maintenance by women is largely uncommon in Niger, a situation particularly pronounced in the country's rural areas. This scarcity makes the current training program at CFM a pioneering effort in breaking down traditional gender barriers in technical fields. The Centre de Formation aux Métiers (CFM) in Droum addresses this by annually training dozens of young individuals, encompassing both girls and boys, across a range of vocational skills. These programs include instruction in areas such as sewing, mechanics, livestock management, foundry work, knitting, carpentry, and cellular repair. The CFM's broader ambitions include not only qualitatively and quantitatively training young people but also actively working to demystify gender stereotypes in fields like cellular repair, and ultimately combating youth exodus from rural areas and female unemployment.
The training cycle at CFM spans two years, after which successful participants are awarded a certificat de qualification professionnel (CQP) diploma. This diploma provides formal recognition of their acquired skills, enhancing their employability and credibility in the job market. However, the cellular maintenance program encounters several challenges that need to be addressed for its long-term success and broader impact. These difficulties include a shortage of adequately qualified trainers, which can limit the number of participants and the depth of instruction. Another significant hurdle is the insufficient provision of kits for graduates to begin their work, meaning that even after completing the training, some may struggle to acquire the necessary tools to practice their new profession. The widespread issue of poverty among the parents of trainees can hinder participation and follow-through, as families may face difficulties supporting their children through the two-year program or may need them to contribute to household income sooner.
The current trainer for the program is part of a pioneering group, representing a strategic investment in local expertise. This individual belongs to a first cohort of fifteen young technicians who were specifically selected by the Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training (MEFTP) to enhance their capabilities and subsequently train others in these specialized skills. This "train the trainer" model is critical for building sustainable technical education capacity within the region.
Voices of Aspiring Technicians
The training opportunity for these women was facilitated by the Projet de Village Intelligent pour la Croissance Rurale et l’Inclusion Numérique (PVI), which translates to the Intelligent Village Project for Rural Growth and Digital Inclusion. PVI plays a key role in bringing these essential skills to underserved communities. The project's involvement ensures that the training is not only available but also supported with the necessary infrastructure and resources. Through PVI's intervention, the Centre de Formation aux Métiers (CFM) was equipped with adequate materials, creating a conducive learning environment for the participants. PVI provided specialized training for the instructor, ensuring that the teaching staff possessed the most up-to-date knowledge and pedagogical skills required for modern electronic maintenance. This full support from PVI is instrumental in overcoming some of the challenges faced by vocational training centers in rural areas. Additionally, as part of its commitment to empowering the new generation of technicians, PVI supplied each of the 15 selected individuals from the first cohort of trainers with a high-technology maintenance kit, enabling them to immediately apply their skills and potentially establish their own businesses.
Project Goals and Future Outlook
The training is a collaborative effort with the Ministère de l’Enseignement et de la Formation Techniques et Professionnels (MEFTP), showing the government's recognition of the importance of vocational training and digital inclusion. This partnership combines the MEFTP's educational framework with PVI's practical implementation and resource provision. The Projet de Village Intelligent (PVI) aims to train 30 new electronic maintenance technicians by 2026, with a significant commitment to gender equality, stipulating that 30% of these trainees will be women. This target is a deliberate step towards increasing female representation in technical fields and fostering inclusive economic development. PVI's strategy extends beyond initial training; it equipped the Centre de Formation aux Métiers (CFM) with adequate materials and provided training for the instructor, establishing a strong foundation for ongoing education. Additionally, PVI supplied each of the 15 selected individuals, including the current trainer, with a high-technology maintenance kit. This provision of essential tools is critical for graduates to transition from training to practical application, enabling them to start their own repair services and contribute to the local economy. The success of these initial programs is expected to pave the way for further initiatives, promoting digital literacy and technical skills as key drivers for rural growth and empowerment in Niger.