November 25, 2025: From Yambio to Torit to Juba, Gemini Uplift bootcamps were more than just training; they were a mission to empower, and ignite entrepreneurial energy across South Sudan. Each city faced its own challenges, yet each was full of passionate young entrepreneurs ready to take the next step.
In Yambio, limited access to capital and infrastructure made starting a business especially difficult. Young people often had ideas but lacked the resources to turn them into concrete ventures. At the Community Learning Center, a delegation from Gemini Africa, led by WPDI Country Manager Mr. Dagu David Justin, delivered an intensive bootcamp that equipped 20 carefully selected participants with the tools to start or strengthen their businesses. By the end of the day, participants had begun developing comprehensive business plans that they would later present to Gemini Africa and WPDI for potential seed funding.
In Torit, WPDI found persistent local conflicts and economic instability made it hard for small businesses to survive, but they also found how the city’s entrepreneurs showed remarkable resilience. The bootcamp helped participants think creatively about problem-solving and sustaining their ventures, building confidence alongside practical skills.
In Juba, the capital city of South Sudan, a new set of hurdles: competition among aspiring entrepreneurs was fierce, and navigating formal business systems required mentorship and networks. The bootcamp brought these young changemakers together to learn business modeling, design thinking, and marketing strategies to scale their ideas and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Across all three cities, participants expressed deep gratitude for the initiative. David Henry Wandu from Yambio shared, “I am very grateful for the initiative brought by the WPDI-Gemini partnership. We are now equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to start productive activities on our own and enhance our livelihoods.” Ngbarago Diana David of Torit added, “The knowledge and competencies I have acquired have prepared me to initiate my own business and make meaningful contributions to my community.” Kezia Stephen Daiman of Juba emphasized the importance of self-reliance, saying, “I appreciate the efforts of WPDI and Gemini Africa, which are dedicated to empowering the youth of South Sudan to achieve economic independence.”
These bootcamps are part of a broader WPDI strategy to build sustainable economic impact worldwide. Across WPDI’s global activations, 78% of polled vocational graduates report increased income, employment, or entrepreneurship within six months, showing how tangible skills translate into real opportunities. WPDI-incubated businesses also thrive on a global scale: with a 94% survival rate after two years, 1,175 ventures worldwide are generating revenue while delivering essential services, dignity, and resilience to their communities.
With over fifty entrepreneurs across three cities engaged in hands-on learning, the bootcamps were about business – and much more: they were launchpads for lasting change.
In partnership with WPDI and Gemini Africa, these sessions planted seeds of innovation, confidence, and possibility, proving that even in regions facing significant challenges, entrepreneurial dreams can take root and grow.
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