About ARDT
Founded to tackle poverty at its roots, we've spent years connecting rural Nigerian communities — especially youth and women — with the tools and technology they need to thrive.
Our Mission
The Advancement for Rural Development Technology (ARDT) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating poverty in rural communities of Nigeria. We promote and provide youth and women with simple, practical tools and technology to enhance their productivity — enabling them to become active drivers of their own livelihoods and meaningful contributors to broader community growth.
We believe that poverty is not inevitable. With the right tools, the right training, and the right support, every young person and every woman in rural Nigeria has the capacity to build a dignified, self-sustaining life — and to lift those around them in the process.
Explore our programsOur vision is a rural Nigeria where every young person and every woman has the tools, skills, and confidence to build a life — and a community — they are proud of.
Our Core Values
Sustainability
We build programs that communities can own and sustain independently — because lasting change must come from within, not from outside dependency.
Community-First
Every decision starts with listening. We design solutions with communities, not for them, ensuring relevance and deep respect for local knowledge and culture.
Gender Equity
Women are at the heart of our work. We actively prioritize women's access to tools, training, and economic opportunity as the fastest path to community transformation.
Practical Innovation
We focus on simple, accessible technology — tools that rural youth and women can adopt, maintain, and build upon without complex infrastructure or ongoing support.
19 Years of Impact
From a single pilot program in Ogun State to 45+ communities across Nigeria — here's how ARDT has grown over 19 years of dedicated service.
ARDT founded with a clear mandate: alleviate poverty in rural Nigeria by equipping youth and women with practical tools and technology.
Launched first pilot program in Ogun State, reaching 200 women with basic agricultural processing tools and training.
Expanded to 3 additional states; introduced youth vocational skills program targeting school leavers in rural areas.
Partnered with local government agencies and NGOs to scale distribution of tools and technology across 15 communities.
Pivoted during COVID-19 to emergency livelihood support, distributing tools and resources to help families sustain income.
Launched women's cooperative model — enabling beneficiaries to pool resources, share tools, and access micro-markets together.
Reached milestone of 10,000+ youth and women empowered across 35+ rural communities in Nigeria.
Expanded to 45+ communities; introduced digital literacy component to help beneficiaries access markets and financial services.
Meet Our Team
Passionate professionals united by a single purpose — building a world where no rural community goes hungry.
Hakeem Soyemi
Executive Director
A passionate advocate for rural development, our founder established ARDT after witnessing the untapped potential of Nigerian youth and women held back by lack of access to simple tools and technology.
Funsho Balogun-Omotayo
Field Operations
Overseeing on-the-ground programs across 45+ communities, our operations lead coordinates tool distribution, training logistics, and volunteer deployment with precision and deep community respect.
Michael Hassan
Youth & Women Programs
Leading our flagship empowerment programs, our programs director translates community needs into practical training curricula that youth and women can apply immediately to build income and independence.
Shola Yinusa
Partnerships & Outreach
Building and sustaining relationships with rural communities, local governments, and partner organizations to ensure ARDT's programs are trusted, welcomed, and deeply rooted in each community.
Be Part of the Story
Whether you donate, volunteer, or simply spread the word — every action moves us closer to a rural Nigeria where poverty is the exception, not the norm.