DKT Nigeria is leveraging technology to improve access to contraceptive education and services for women and young people across the country through its digital platform, Honey and Banana.
According to a press release made available to Pharmanews, the initiative, launched in response to persistent barriers to family planning in Nigeria, aims to provide confidential, youth-friendly, and culturally sensitive information to support women in making informed reproductive health decisions.
Despite the known benefits of contraception — including the ability to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce health risks, and promote maternal and child health, the statement noted that Nigeria has continued to struggle with low uptake of modern contraceptive methods and as a result, many women face obstacles such as myths, stigma, cost, and poor access to services.
“In tackling these challenges, DKT Nigeria has adopted a multi-pronged approach that includes strengthening contraceptive supply chains, training healthcare providers, and engaging communities and men in awareness campaigns. However, its most innovative intervention remains the Honey and Banana platform,” the statement reads.
The platform comprises an integrated digital ecosystem including a toll-free call centre, a network of partner clinics, social media channels, a dedicated website, and a newly introduced WhatsApp chatbot.
The statement emphasised that the toll-free call centre,7790, has been staffed by trained counsellors and nurses who offer free, confidential support in English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. Callers can receive information about various contraceptive methods, referrals to health facilities, and assistance in managing concerns related to contraceptive use. Follow-up support is also provided to ensure continuity of care.
The WhatsApp chatbot, it explained, offers users on-demand access to reliable information and includes the option to chat with a live agent. The platform also engages users via Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok, using culturally relevant content to challenge myths and encourage open conversations about family planning.
On its website, Honey and Banana features comprehensive resources on contraception, including personal stories and the option to discreetly purchase family planning products online.
To further reduce financial barriers, DKT Nigeria runs an e-voucher campaign through the platform, enabling women to access services at partner clinics for free or at highly subsidised rates. These clinics are staffed by trained providers offering client-centred care.
Since its inception, the Honey and Banana platform has reached millions of users, contributing to efforts to improve Nigeria’s modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR).
Looking ahead, DKT Nigeria plans to expand its reach to underserved communities, enhance its digital tools based on user feedback, and collaborate with trained pharmacists to improve contraceptive access in remote areas.
The organisation says its digital strategy is a critical part of ensuring that every woman in Nigeria has the information and support she needs to take control of her reproductive health.
