Ubuntu Impact is a student-run, professionally-advised, pro-bono consulting group that provides African, indigenous-founder led businesses with socially impactful solutions to their most pressing issues.
African businesses face many difficulties that could be alleviated with the help of external strategy consultants but there is a lack of affordable, high-quality consulting services available. Students from African Partner Schools work collaboratively with Ivey Business School students to gain consulting experience while working with faculty and industry professionals. This opportunity enables students to step out of the classroom and develop their business acumen in the real world through cross-cultural exchange. We hope this program can serve as a long-lasting bridge between Canada and Africa.
The Ubuntu Impact vision
- Offer accessible, high quality consulting services to African founder-led businesses.
- Increase global collaboration between Africa and Canada through a cross-cultural exchange.
Completed Projects
Ethiopian Client - Deliver Addis
Deliver Addis is the first and leading online restaurant delivery service generating income for small businesses across Addis Ababa serving over 40,000 customers while creating opportunities for young adults looking to enter the workforce. Deliver Addis is an e-commerce company with 5 - 10 years of operation, 50 - 100 employees, and approximate annual revenue of over USD $20,000,000.
- Project 1 (Fall 2021): Built a work-to-own financing structure to help employees build personal wealth and own their delivery equipment. As well, we researched investors and organized their VDR to prepare for their next series A funding round.
- Project 2 (Winter 2022): Developed a comprehensive strategic and tactical marketing plan with a $100,000 budget resulting in an 8.74% ROI.
Kenyan Client - Hello Tractor
Hello Tractor brings tractor owners together with farmers in need of those tools. The company bills itself as the Uber of tractors by providing on-demand tractor and heavy machinery rentals enabled by the Internet of Things technology. The company digitizes a space that is traditionally tech-averse and offers fleet owners intel about fuel use, maintenance, and more on each of the tractors rented through its system. So far, Hello Tractor has facilitated rentals for more than 500,000 farmers in 17 countries and it was featured on Fortune’s Change the World list as one of just 53 companies using creative tools of capitalism to address society’s unmet needs. The company has 5 - 10 years years of operation,10 - 50 employees, and approximate annual revenue of USD $100,000 - $1,000,000.
- Project 1 (Fall 2021): Support the Successful launch of the PAYG product ($2M in tractor financing) as a proof point for a larger phase 2 effort ($20M) and Enhance data collection and analysis. Support the effort to grow the farmer network by formalizing partnerships with farmer organization and other iNGOs with aligned interests and support the growth of tractors available on the platform in current (16) and new countries.
- Project 2 (Winter 2022): Embed social capital scoring tool within underwriting process and enhance route optimization tool to increase lending activity for the PAYG product. Develop a partnership strategy & roadmap that outlines short-, medium-, and long-term targets/goals, expanding on initial implementation plan.
Businesses - Why should you choose us?
Clients - Why should you join?
- Opportunity to outsource challenging business tasks to highly capable individuals.
- Bolster recruiting processes by engaging with students firsthand.
- Help students gain relevant experience that can be applied in the workforce.
- Pro-bono work comes at no cost but provides the benefit of a larger workforce.
Interested in having your most pressing-issues solved? Please fill out the following intake form.
Students - Why should you join?
- Gain real hands-on consulting experience.
- Develop a global network of students/alumni from Ivey Business School.
- Create tangible impact using business as a force for good.
- Connect with African firms for potential job/internship opportunities.
- Meet like minded individuals, new friends and have fun while you’re at it.
Role Opportunities
Project Lead
Why should you join?
- Gain real hands-on consulting experience
- Develop a global network of students/alumni from Ivey Business School
- Create tangible impact using business as a force for good
- Connect with African firms for potential job/internship opportunities
- Meet like minded individuals, new friends and have fun while you’re at it
Responsibilities
- Working directly with our clients to deliver engagements - African students will handle the in-person (on the ground) client relationships.
- Delegate and manage junior team
- Collaborating with our wider team to innovate and deliver for our clients
- Developing strategies to help clients navigate through unique business challenges
- Taking ownership of your work and leading the delivery of specific work streams on projects (e.g. creating powerpoint presentations and excel financial models for management)
- Contribute and develop (e.g. new service offerings, training packages, recruiting initiatives, marketing) to business development activities
What you’ll bring to this role
- Your previous relevant working and educational experience
- An interest in upskilling for emerging market trends, an openness to learning new tools and adapting how you work
- A demonstrated commitment to valuing differences and working alongside diverse people and perspectives
- Microsoft Powerpoint, Excel & Word skills are assets but not required
Project Analyst
Why should you join?
- Gain real hands-on consulting experience
- Develop a global network of students/alumni from Ivey Business School
- Create tangible impact using business as a force for good
- Connect with African firms for potential job/internship opportunities
- Meet like minded individuals, new friends and have fun while you’re at it
Responsibilities
- Working directly with our clients to deliver engagements
- Collaborating with our wider team to innovate and deliver for our clients
- Developing strategies to help clients navigate through unique business challenges
- Taking ownership of your work and leading the delivery of specific work streams on projects (e.g. creating PowerPoint presentations and excel financial models for management)
- Contribute and develop (e.g. new service offerings, training packages, recruiting initiatives, marketing) to business development activities
What you’ll bring to this role
- Your previous relevant working and educational experience
- An interest in upskilling for emerging market trends, an openness to learning new tools and adapting how you work
- A demonstrated commitment to valuing differences and working alongside diverse people and perspectives
- Microsoft Powerpoint, Excel & Word skills are assets but not required
Please fill out the following form if you are interested in becoming involved!
If you are a Western/Ivey student:
Click here if you are an African student.
Project Timeline
- Typically a 3-4 month project over the fall or winter terms
- Example timeline for a fall project:
Illustrative Timeline
| September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Early September: Mid-End of September: |
Early October: Mid-End of October: |
Early November: Mid-End of November: |
Early December: Montly check-in Final client presentation |
Contact Us
Email: iveyubuntu@ivey.ca
LinkedIn: Ubuntu Impact
Facebook: Ubuntu Impact