Doballi, a Dubai-based company, has announced plans to train 10,000 graduates across Africa to support the global business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.
The initiative aims to equip participants with the necessary skills to work with multinational companies while residing in their respective countries. Through this programme, trainees will be empowered to serve as virtual assistants for international firms, creating significant opportunities for them to earn in foreign currencies.
Doballi, a Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) entity, is partnering with GetBundi Education Technology, a Nigerian edtech platform, to deliver the training.
“The opportunities in virtual administrative roles are vast. Africa, with its young, dynamic, and well-educated population, can be a valuable asset to the global business community if given the right training,” said Osita Oparaugo, Founder of Doballi, in a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday.
Oparaugo noted that virtual assistant roles have traditionally been dominated by professionals from India and the Philippines.
“We want African youths to explore these opportunities and build sustainable careers,” he added.
According to Oparaugo, the free training is open to all Africans aged 20 to 45.
“Registration closes on 31 March 2025. Prospective candidates must be university graduates and own a laptop or desktop computer. No prior technical experience is required to apply.
“The comprehensive eight-week training programme, which begins on 11 April 2025, is entirely free for all participants.
“This initiative responds to the growing demand for virtual assistants (VAs) in today’s business landscape, where efficiency and productivity are paramount.
“Our collaboration seeks to equip African talents with the skills needed to excel in this rapidly expanding field,” he said.
Virtual assistants are skilled professionals who provide remote support across various business functions by leveraging technology to deliver efficient and cost-effective solutions.
“They enable small business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives to focus on strategic tasks while handling time-consuming administrative duties.
“In today’s business environment, virtual assistants work across multiple domains, including customer service, social media management, bookkeeping, project management, content creation, research, calendar management, administrative support, social media marketing, e-commerce, event management, graphic design, and data entry,” the statement added.
The training partnership aligns with Doballi’s core objective of collaborating with organisations, educational institutions, and governments to support African talent development and align skills with market demands.
“It will enable Doballi and GetBundi to equip 10,000 trainees with the skills required to function effectively as virtual assistants, allowing businesses to focus on growth,” the statement read.
Ms. Maxine Gordon, Director of International Partnerships at Doballi, highlighted the vast potential of virtual assistant roles in the current business climate.
“Key factors such as convenience, accessibility, integration with IoT, and personalisation are driving the rise of virtual assistants.
“With the global economy in flux, Africa’s youthful demography represents a promising frontier.
“Leveraging this abundant human capital can transform Africa and provide substantial benefits to the global economy.
“Doballi remains committed to empowering African youth through upskilling initiatives, paving the way for their integration into the global workforce.
“Our mission is to bridge African talent with international opportunities,” Gordon said.
Speaking on behalf of GetBundi Education Technology, Mrs Juliet Ijei, the Course Coordinator, expressed appreciation to Doballi for its commitment to partnering with Africa to enhance human capital development.
She commended the organisation’s confidence in GetBundi to lead the training initiative, reiterating that the programme is open to all Africans aged 20 to 45.
“Registration closes on 31 March. Candidates must be university graduates with access to a laptop or desktop. No prior technical skills are required to apply,” Ijei affirmed.
