On March 8 every year, the world marks International Women’s Day, a global day set aside to recognise the achievements of women and progress toward gender equality.
Even before 2026, technology has become so important for women’s empowerment, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria where traditional limitations still limit access to education, finance and economic opportunities.
Over the past decade, digital devices have helped expose more Nigerian women to education, business opportunities and health information while also simplifying daily responsibilities.
With a smartphone and internet connection, many women can now communicate their challenges, access opportunities and participate in the digital economy even in communities far from government institutions.
However, the digital gap is wide
Recent data reveal that about 68% of adult women in Nigeria do not own smartphones, compared with roughly 50% of men. In northern parts of the country, the digital exclusion is even more pronounced, with nearly 60% of women lacking internet access entirely.
The result is limited participation in the digital economy and slower growth in sectors that rely on digital skills.
To address the imbalance, the federal government of Nigeria has partnered with organisations such as the African Development Bank and the World Bank to support digital inclusion initiatives.
Policies like the National Gender Inclusion Strategy aim to provide more than 12 million women with digital skills before 2027.
As the world marks International Women’s Day, technology devices are already helping bridge the gender gap in several important ways.
Tech Devices Are Creating Economic Opportunities
In Nigeria today, smartphones and internet access are enabling many women to start and run businesses independently.
With digital tools, women can access learning resources, reach customers directly and manage business operations without relying on physical storefronts.
Research published in 2025 by Mastercard found that 83% of Nigerian women identify as entrepreneurs, a much higher proportion than in many other regions.
The figure stresses how strongly women participate in business activities, particularly in an economy where formal employment opportunities remain limited.
Technology devices have expanded these opportunities by allowing women to:
- Sell products through social media marketplaces
- Run fashion and beauty brands online
- Offer digital services such as content creation, tutoring and consulting
Mobile banking has also simplified financial transactions, allowing many women to manage payments, savings and investments directly from their smartphones.
Digital Devices Are Expanding Education and Career Paths
Digital devices are also helping Nigerian women develop professional skills and access new career opportunities.
Affordable smartphones from brands such as TECNO, Infinix and itel are becoming more preferred, women can participate in digital training programmes like the 3MTT initiative and take online courses through platforms such as Udemy.
Through their phones, laptops or tablets, women are learning practical digital skills including:
- Software development and coding
- Digital marketing
- Graphic design and content creation
- Data analysis and remote administrative work
Studies on digital media usage among Nigerian women show that many now rely on connected devices to access training resources and professional development opportunities. These tools are also helping women transition into technology-related careers that often offer better pay and more flexible working conditions.
For women who do not have easy access to universities or training institutions, digital devices effectively serve as portable learning centres, enabling them to study, collaborate and build careers from anywhere.
Smart Devices Are Supporting Women’s Health and Well-Being
Modern gadgets are also helping women monitor their health more closely.
With the growing availability of affordable wearable technology, many women can now track important health indicators without frequent hospital visits.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers such as the Oraimo Watch 4 Plus from Oraimo and the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 4 from Xiaomi allow users to monitor daily activity, heart rate and sleep patterns directly from their wrists.
These devices can provide insights into:
- Heart rate and cardiovascular activity
- Sleep quality and duration
- Daily step counts and calorie burn
- Stress levels
- Blood oxygen levels
Some wearables also include features designed specifically for women’s health. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 from Samsung includes tools that help track menstrual cycles, estimate fertility windows and record symptoms linked to hormonal changes.
Smartphones also support a wide range of health apps that help users monitor fitness, manage nutrition and schedule medical appointments.
While smartphones can perform many of these functions, wearable devices are usually better suited for continuous health tracking because of their design and convenience.
The Digital Divide Still Exists, But Progress Is Underway
Despite the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy, from less than 1% of GDP in 2001 to around 18% in 2022, there is still a gender gap in digital access.
Current estimates indicate that:
- Only about 33% of adult women in Nigeria have internet access, compared with 52% of men
- Roughly 68% of Nigerian women still do not own smartphones
- More than 45 million women remain offline, particularly in rural communities
Government agencies, non-profits and technology companies are now working to close this gap through digital literacy programmes, infrastructure development and targeted initiatives aimed at women.
As the world marks International Women’s Day, we see that technology is standing out as one of the most powerful tools for women’s empowerment.
From affordable smartphones produced by companies like Infinix and TECNO to accessible wearable devices from Oraimo and Xiaomi, digital tools are gradually removing limitations and opening new opportunities for Nigerian women.
With access to these technologies expanding, their role in closing the gender gap and supporting women’s economic participation will likely become even higher as years go by.
