The Michigan State University – Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) recently awarded the ‘Transforming Institutions Strategic 2019 Grant’ to The Virtual Global Consultant (VGC) Group, LLC. for its 2020 capacity building initiative.
The VGC Group is a leading digital consultancy headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey with satellite offices in Detroit, Michigan and Accra, Ghana. The company designs and develops eCommerce systems to help generate revenue online for people, companies, and organizations. The company initially found its success helping faith-based organizations increase at-will donations and has been helping businesses all over the world reach their goals through digital marketing since its inception in 2016.
“We have always known what eCommerce and eMarketing can do for people and businesses,” says The VGC Group co-founder Naomi Jordan Cook. “Now, we’re sharing our expertise to impact economies across the African continent.”
Through the funding made available by AAP, The VGC Group will be able to roll out its latest capacity-building initiative called, “Aftown Mall eCommerce Workshop Series.” The workshop series aims to position African-based SMEs, African university faculty, staff, and students, to sell globally through an innovative curriculum that infuses Information and Communications technology (ICT), eCommerce and eMarketing.
In February 2020, The VGC Group is set to launch the pilot of the Aftown Mall eCommerce Workshop Series in Uganda and Malawi. The pilot is targeted to activate 50 entrepreneurs from the two African countries, and simultaneously train students in ICT from partner universities.
Makerere University in Uganda, and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in Malawi, are the partner universities for the series’ pilot. Participating partner universities will be able to integrate the Aftown Mall eCommerce Workshop Curriculum into current or future accredited courses for university students. A virtual eLearning platform will also be made available post workshop to provide continuous training and learning for all participants from respective African nations.
“The impact of the digital transformation is evident across the continent,” explains cofounder W.E. Da’Cruz. “ This program model educates and arms stakeholders with the tools and resources to engage and transact powerfully in the digital economy so that nobody is left behind.”
The pilot will serve as a model for other African nations who will participate in the next Aftown Mall eCommerce Workshop Series. The workshop series is only one of many programs initiated by The VGC Group to address its 2020 mission of helping 2000 entrepreneurs across 20 countries go global.
Aftown Mall eCommerce Workshop Series will be in Uganda from Feb 13-14, 2020 and in Malawi from Feb 18-19, 2020. The VGC Group is seeking additional University partners interested in this pilot.
For more information, email programs@thevgcgroup.com. To discover creative African entrepreneurs and shop unique products, visit www.aftownmall.com.
