Accenture is providing US$1.6 million to the University of Notre Dame Initiative for Global Development (NDIGD) to expand the Connectivity, Electricity and Education for Entrepreneurship (CE3) project – a joint initiative developed by Accenture and the university to increase the livelihoods of individuals living in rural Africa.
Accenture’s commitment, which includes both cash and pro-bono services, will help expand the project in Uganda and launch it in South Africa, enabling more than 2,400 individuals to find a job or start a business.
The project harnesses solar energy to deliver clean, efficient, renewable power and Wi-Fi connectivity to off-grid communities in Africa, significantly improving access to technology, job-skills training and mentoring. The project also supports on-the-ground nonprofits that train and mentor entrepreneurs to replicate solar power in neighboring villages.
The contribution is a part of Accenture’s corporate citizenship initiative, Skills to Succeed, which is equipping more than 3 million people around the world with the skills to get a job or build a business. In 2012, Accenture and NDIGD introduced the CE3 project as a pilot program in rural northern Uganda, resulting in 40 new business start-ups and more than 130 new jobs.
As a part of the project, Accenture is providing pro-bono consulting services to help NDIGD scale the CE3 energy model, enabling the project to be independently replicated in rural communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, Accenture volunteers are continuing to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs on how to develop, launch and grow successful businesses.