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Bringing learning and career development to Africa
Deloitte University EMEA and Close the Gap launch new learning partnership
Close the Gap, founded by Olivier Vanden Eynde, director, Enterprise Risk Services, Deloitte Belgium, provides affordable information technology solutions to social projects in developing countries. To date, they have provided 100,000 refurbished computers in Africa, enabling an estimated 1.5 million unique users the ability to access information and develop careers because of access to technology.
Deloitte believes in making an impact, so we want to use the skills and knowledge of our people at Deloitte University EMEA through coaching and training to strengthen the entrepreneurial skills of the Close the Gap partners in Africa.
- Lwazi Bam, CEO Deloitte Africa.
Building entrepreneurial skills
The training partnership will pilot the one-week training boot camp in Tanzania in May 2015. Similar to Deloitte University EMEA curriculum, Deloitte leaders will act as facilitators. The learning programme will focus on outreach and up-skilling of Close the Gap’s local partners in entrepreneurship and business management skills through live business simulations that will allow them to navigate through the different phases of setting up a sustainable business model. The aim will be to up-skill the local service partners to be successful agents for Close the Gap who distribute, maintain and recycle the technology.
The partnership will focus on helping local service partners become more professional in marketing and sales, business planning, compliance and risk.
Key support for Close the Gap from Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Tutu was the very first early adopter and believer in the mission of Close the Gap. As a student, founder Olivier Vanden Eynde had the opportunity to present the concept to the Archbishop, who put his eminence and weight behind Close the Gap and provided them with opportunities to launch and expand the program. Hear the Archbishop’s comments at the 10-year celebration event held recently at Deloitte University EMEA.
Where to find more information
