Why I Started This
Most quality digital skills training is in English and designed for contexts that look nothing like what learners in West Africa experience day-to-day. DevelopGio is a French-language digital literacy and AI training program I co-founded to serve learners in Benin. It's a 4+ week curriculum with 70+ video lessons and PowerPoint modules that take people from foundational computer skills all the way through AI fundamentals.
Digital skills are increasingly essential for economic participation, and I wanted to build something that actually meets people where they are.
What the Curriculum Covers
Digital Foundations
Introduction to computers, operating systems, file management, and internet navigation. Designed for learners with little to no prior experience with technology.
Microsoft Word
Document creation, formatting, templates, tables, and professional document preparation. Practical exercises based on scenarios relevant to learners' everyday lives.
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet fundamentals, formulas, data organization, charts, and basic data analysis. Applications include budgeting, inventory tracking, and small business management.
AI Fundamentals
Introduction to artificial intelligence concepts, practical AI tools, and how they apply to everyday life and work. The goal is to demystify AI for non-technical learners while building critical thinking about technology.
How I Designed It
- Language-first: All content is natively in French, not translated from English. The terminology, examples, and cultural references are authentic to francophone West Africa.
- Context-relevant: Exercises and scenarios reflect the economic realities in Benin. Think small business management, agricultural data, local market analysis.
- Progressive scaffolding: Each module builds on the previous one, with no assumptions about prior digital experience.
- Video-first delivery: 70+ short video lessons accommodate varying literacy levels and make content accessible to visual and auditory learners.
- Low-bandwidth friendly: Content is designed to be downloadable and usable offline, since internet connectivity can be intermittent.
Program at a Glance
Why This Matters
In Benin and across francophone West Africa, digital skills are a direct pathway to economic opportunity. But the digital divide isn't just about access to technology. It's about access to quality, culturally relevant training in local languages. That's what DevelopGio is here to address.
Content coming soon. Detailed curriculum breakdown, sample lessons, and learner outcomes will be added to this page. Check back for updates.