How Digital Wallet Training Programs are Empowering Entrepreneurs in Padarincang

How Digital Wallet Training Programs are Empowering Entrepreneurs in Padarincang

Mamah Aprilia, a 36-year-old entrepreneur from Padarincang Village, Serang Regency, has spent a decade building her small business: a modest grocery store that today offers diverse goods, from jengkol (dogfruit) crackers and melinjo chips, to affordable Wi-Fi services for the local children. Recently, her journey took a significant leap forward when she embraced the use of digital wallets for her operations.

Mamah Aprilia’s initial apprehension towards digital financial services stemmed from concerns about transaction risks and a lack of familiarity with digital platforms. This changed when she attended the RISE Indonesia MSE Digitalization Training in September 2024. Held at SDN 1 Padarincang as part of the Indonesian Financial Services Authority’s (OJK) Financial Inclusion Ecosystem (EKI) program, the training welcomed 91 micro and small enterprise (MSE) participants from various sectors, including culinary, agribusiness, retail, and services like tailoring and workshops.

The program, inaugurated by Padarincang Village Head Iyus Pariyadi, aimed to equip local businesses with essential digital skills. With the help of local trainers who hailed from different backgrounds — small and medium business entrepreneurs, local clinic workers, students, and contract-based village staff members — and who had received prior training from RISE, participants were able to join interactive classes focusing on two key areas: digital marketing and non-cash transactions.

Learning to Embrace Digital Tools

For Mamah Aprilia, the sessions taught her to effectively use her digital wallet account. She was able to familiarize herself with transfer features as well as other features for streamlining transactions, all of which ultimately helped her eliminate the risk of receiving counterfeit money. Since the training, she has also leveraged her e-wallet balance to expand her business operations, offering services such as selling mobile phone credit and electricity tokens.

Additionally, knowing how to use her digital wallet account has also helped with ensuring smoother payments with a specific demographic of her customers: students from the local Islamic boarding school. Prior to the training, it was common for students to accumulate debt at her shop without a clear payment plan. She only accepted cash, and her students are more often than not cashless. The workshop gave her the confidence to finally accept digital payments. This meant parents of the students finally had a much simpler access to Mamah Aprilia and could simply transfer the amount the student owed. At least 15 students are now regulars with a monthly payment plan at her store, which allows them to buy food and snacks and pay by transfer at the end of each month. The process has been so seamless that several parents have also started transferring their children’s allowance through Mamah Aprilia.

The training also introduced Mamah to digital marketing strategies. The more she shared updates about her products on WhatsApp status, the more she saw demand for her store. Orders for jengkol and melinjo chips were now coming in from customers beyond her neighborhood.

“I am happy with the training and the visits from mentors. It adds insight and knowledge, like being back in school. Now, I can use my phone for more useful purposes,” Mamah said, adding that having local trainers made the session ideal as there was an established sense of trust.

A Broader Impact on the Community

Mamah Aprilia’s journey has had a ripple effect on her community. Her affordable Wi-Fi services have enabled local children to access online educational resources, bridging a critical gap in the village. Her success story has also inspired fellow MSE owners to embrace digital tools, fostering a spirit of innovation and growth.

The RISE Indonesia training sessions offered hands-on support tailored to the varying levels of digital proficiency among participants. For those new to digital marketing, trainers provided guidance on setting up accounts, managing online presence, and creating impactful content. More experienced participants received advanced tips to refine their strategies. In the non-cash transactions sessions, entrepreneurs unfamiliar with e-wallets learned the basics, while seasoned users explored new functionalities to enhance their operations.

The collaborative environment of the training allowed participants to exchange ideas, share challenges, and discuss successes, creating a supportive network. Mamah Aprilia’s story exemplifies the profound impact of digital tools and training programs on small businesses. With initiatives like RISE Indonesia leading the way, Padarincang Village is on a promising path toward digital inclusion, empowering entrepreneurs to unlock new opportunities and drive community development.