Local company Zydii bets on localised digital training

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, staying ahead of market trends is essential for success. One of the most effective ways to ensure businesses remain competitive is through continuous learning, and digital training has proven to be a key strategy in achieving this.

It has emerged as a critical strategy, enabling organisations to equip their teams with the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

In 2017 Joyce Mbaya and Rhoda Kingori founded Zydii, a company whose aim was to provide localised digital training.

“Zydii was born from a shared recognition of the growing need for scalable and accessible training solutions tailored specifically for African businesses,” says Ms King’ori.

Since inception, the business has been at the forefront of empowering businesses across Africa with Africa-centric training content that is both accessible and flexible.

By leveraging communication platforms like WhatsApp, Web, SMS, and USSD, the venture breaks down geographical and technological barriers, ensuring employees can access essential training materials anytime, anywhere.

The duo quickly identified a gap in the market, where businesses often struggled to provide their teams with the quality training necessary to remain competitive. To address this, they envisioned a platform that could deliver high-quality, expert-led training on a broad scale.

After a year of product development, the company launched its platform determined to revolutionise training for businesses and individuals alike.

In 2018, Zydii’s innovative approach was recognised with the IBiz Standard Chartered Women in Tech award, a significant milestone that cemented its position as a leader in the African digital training landscape.

Initially, they operated under a B2C (business-to-consumer) model, directly connecting individuals with relevant training content. However, as demand for business-focused solutions grew, they pivoted in 2021 to a B2B (business-to-business) model, offering subscription-based services for businesses. This shift allowed the company to cater to entire teams, enabling organisations to provide valuable soft skills training such as communication, leadership, and project management that is crucial for driving business growth, improving employee productivity, and fostering a culture of engagement.

The success of the company lies in its ability to provide contextual and relatable content that speaks to the specific needs of African businesses.

"Zydii" is derived from the Kiswahili word zaidi, meaning “more,” which perfectly reflects the company’s guiding philosophy: “Know more, do more.”

The mission is to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to transform their careers, enhance organisational performance, and make a lasting impact within their communities.

African workplace

“Our course catalog is unique because it reflects the realities of the African workplace. We offer a range of business, life, and career skills courses designed specifically to resonate with the African context. With over 50 courses and 44 expert trainers, we offer not only on-demand digital content but also live virtual sessions that promote deeper learning and engagement,” says Ms King’ori.

In addition to its catalog of digital content, Zydii’s courses include certificates upon completion, adding extra value for individuals and businesses alike.

The company has since been addressing a critical gap in the market: many African businesses fail within their first year due to a lack of essential skills. The business seeks to bridge this gap by ensuring that employees not only acquire foundational skills, but can immediately apply them to real-world business challenges unique to Africa.

Their pricing is structured to be affordable and scalable. Businesses can provide their teams with access to the platform for as little as Sh 5,000 per employee annually.

She notes that with tiered rates for larger organisations, the platform ensures that even small businesses can afford top-tier training.

“In addition, quarterly subscription options, starting at just Sh 2,000 per employee, offer businesses flexible solutions to meet their training needs on a more frequent basis,” she adds.

Ms King’ori says they have ambitious plans for expansion across the continent.

The company aims to extend its reach into more African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. By incorporating native languages into their training programs, Zydii will be able to further increase accessibility and ensure that employees at all education levels, and from diverse linguistic backgrounds, can benefit from high-quality training.

“Zydii’s goal is to foster a culture of continuous learning across Africa. By empowering businesses to invest in their teams’ growth, the company hopes to play a significant role in helping African businesses bridge the skills gap and succeed in a globalised, competitive economy,” adds Ms King’ori.

Their focus on offering practical, context-specific training ensures that employees can apply their newfound knowledge immediately, driving productivity, revenue, and overall business success.

Their innovative approach to digital training model is set to offer accessible, relevant, and impactful learning opportunities.

As the company continues to grow and evolve by embracing modern market trends, it remains committed to helping African businesses build resilient, skilled, and empowered teams that will help shape the continent’s future.

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