In 2014, the Belgian nonprofit Close the Gap announced a new strategic partnership with Deloitte University EMEA during its 10 year anniversary celebration, hosted by Deloitte University EMEA in La Hulpe (Belgium) together with Close the Gap’s patron Archbishop em. Desmond Tutu. The next step in this strategic partnership was to launch a pilot entrepreneurial bootcamp in Tanzania.

UJASILIA MALI means entrepreneurship in Swahili. Since 2008, Close the Gap has partnered with local entrepreneurs in Africa to start up IT-support related businesses which would provide much needed IT services such as installation, maintenance, training, localized e-content development and end-of-life asset collection and recycling. These local service partners help Close the Gap deliver holistic, end-to-end support to its beneficiaries and play an integral role in bridging the digital divide.

Close the Gap and Deloitte University EMEA entered into a new partnership to continue talent development with the aim to increase the business skills of these local service partners starting with courses on entrepreneurship. The curriculum has been developed by Deloitte University EMEA, Close the Gap and WorldLoop and together delivered to service partners.

After a great week of business planning and relationship building, the crew returned to their respective countries feeling the social-entrepreneurial fire reignited within.

Here's some feedback from the Ujasilia Mali bootcampers.

What did you find most valuable about the program?

"The program was delivered in such a way as to not only educate, but also inspire to perform and thus 'empowering.' " Crescent Future Kids, ZAMBIA

"Partnership building plus most of the organizations had common challenges of which we got some action points." Computers for Schools Uganda, UGANDA

"Many facilitators with good experience coming from several horizons. Practical and concrete instructions." GLICE, BURUNDI 

How will you apply what you learned from this program on the job?

"Developing my organization in terms of business growth; Attracting more customers for the products we are offering; Adequate preparation of financial records/statements." Exponential Technology, TANZANIA 

"Budgeting: I will review the budgeting process being used currently. Statement of accounts: What was learnt will asset in having a better understanding of my firm's financial position." Computers for School Tanzania, TANZANIA

Close the Gap hopes to be able to offer other such trainings in the future for its service partners and other social entrepreneurs.