Geekcorps Mali’s enduring success: Zirasun
2 May 2006 in Success stories, Mali by Matt Berg
In his final year of study at the University of Bamako, Moussa Keita wrote a paper that analyzed the failings of the wireless network at his university. Geekcorps, who was asked to help restore the network, recruited him upon graduation. After more than a year of training with some of the best wireless and open-source experts available, and after successfully installing wireless and other technologies in all corners of his native Mali, Geekcorps management urged Moussa to begin his own business so that Geekcorps could outsource the many requests for his services.
Nearing its first full year of operation, Zirasun has developed an excellent reputation among its clients, which include Geekcorps, HKI, Africare, the University of Bamako, and the U.S. Peace Corps (for whom Zirasun just completed network installation at their main training center). With the addition of Cheick Oumar Bocoum, a Geekcorps-trained webmaster, Zirasun will add a web division to increase the level of quality services it offers its clients.
Moussa feels that the role of Zirasun is to bring a new type of ICT vision to Mali. Moussa finds that most of his Malian competitors are “stagnant,” too often relying on the same packaged Microsoft solutions while not considering open-source solutions that he thinks may be more appropriate in Mali. Moussa considers his time at Geekcorps particularly important to Zirasun’s foundation because not only did he learn best practices from fellow geeks, ICT experts from around the world, but he appreciated the Geekcorps culture, and is trying to replicate aspects of it within Zirasun. He has learned, for example, that to stay at the top of one’s field, one is obliged to learn every day, to constantly search for better solutions. Moussa also feels a responsibility to pass on his technical expertise to others.
While still a young enterprise, in its true startup stage, Zirasun has brought on three full-time paid interns. While he admits that this can cause extra financial stress at times, he is confident it is an investment that in the future will pay dividends.
Papou Coulibaly is young boutique owner in Ouélessébougou. Previously, Geekcorps partnered with Papou to create a Cybertigi - an Internet access point for the local community via a wireless link to a Community Information & Learning Center (CLIC).