TikTok and ICC launch free Digital Commerce Labs programme for small businesses in Nigeria

TikTok and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) have launched the Digital Commerce Labs. This is a free global training programme designed to help small businesses build digital commerce skills, reach more customers, and grow sustainably in an increasingly online economy.

The programme is rolling out across ten countries in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, with Nigeria identified as a key market for the initiative. It is supported locally by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, indicating that both federal and state organizations support the initiative.

Small businesses in Nigeria can apply now at no cost, with applications considered on a rolling basis. Participants who complete the programme will receive a recognised certification.

“We’ve seen how small businesses can grow rapidly on TikTok by connecting with communities in authentic ways,” said Tokunbo Ibrahim, Acting Head of Government Relations and Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa at TikTok.

“Our partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce, NITDA and Lagos State Employment Trust Fund is an important step in equipping entrepreneurs with the resources they need to scale and thrive.”

What the TikTok programme offers and how it works

The Digital Commerce Labs is built around three components designed to work together rather than in isolation.

The first is community building, bringing entrepreneurs together through virtual and in-person sessions with local ecosystem partners. The goal is to drive peer learning and network development by creating spaces where business owners can share experiences, hear from industry leaders, and understand how digital trends are reshaping their markets.

The second is a self-paced online learning track spanning approximately four hours of content. Hosted on a dedicated platform, the modules cover building a strong digital presence, creating impactful content, choosing the right sales channels, and using AI tools to prepare a business for growth. The format includes videos produced by local experts, interactive quizzes, and a certificate of completion.

The third component is virtual classrooms, instructor-led sessions where participants can engage directly with industry experts, ask questions in real time, and apply what they learn through guided exercises and tool demonstrations.

Similar read: TikTok adds $200k to its AI media literacy fund in Sub-Saharan Africa, now totalling $2.2m

ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton described the initiative as part of a broader mission to make digital commerce more accessible. “This initiative is about impact: unlocking opportunity, strengthening resilience, and ensuring that the benefits of digital commerce are shared more widely,” he said.

The programme is free for all micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in eligible markets. Places for community events and virtual classrooms are limited to ensure engagement. Businesses in Nigeria interested in participating can register at the Digital Commerce Labs website or reach the organisers at digitalcommercelabs@iccwbo.org.