[Tunisia and Algeria] Striving to be a bridge between Japan and Africa: Holding an exchange program for ABE Initiative trainees

On December 15th, 2023, an online exchange program was held for ABE Initiative (herein after called as “ABE”) participants. Interesting presentations were given by Japanese companies and ABE ex-participants who are working in Japan, and lively Q&A session was held.

The program opened with a welcome speech by Ms. MIYATA, Chief Representative of JICA Tunisia office. She expressed her joy at being able to interact with ABE Ex-participants and current participants from Tunisia and Algeria for the first time since her arrival in September this year. She hoped that this event would deepen the friendship between the participants and provide an opportunity to cultivate deeper relationships with Japanese companies.

In the first session, three Japanese companies presented on their business background, current situation, and future prospects of doing business in Africa. They also explained the roles and qualities they expected from ABE participants. ABE participants actively asked questions about the challenges each company faced in doing business in Africa, and some of them even offered advice to companies based on their own knowledge, which demonstrated their high level of interest in the trends of Japanese companies.

In the second session, two ABE ex-participants, who had found employment in Japan, gave presentations on how they networked during their studies and their ideas for further deepening the business relationship between Africa and Japan. Participants were impressed by the ABE ex-participants who had taken the first step to be a bridge between Africa and Japan by finding employment in Japan.

The closing remarks were given by Ms. JOGO, Senior Representative of JICA Tunisia office. She expressed her gratitude to the participants and commented that the presentations by Japanese companies were very insightful for the ABE Ex-participants and current participants. She also praised the ex-participants who had overcome cultural differences to work for Japanese companies.

Event Title：
Striving to be a bridge between Japan and Africa: Holding an exchange program for ABE Initiative trainees from Tunisia and Algeria

Date：
December 15th, 2023

Program:

JICA is implementing a long-term training program for African industrial personnel, administrative officials, young researchers, and other areas of interest. The “Homecoming Report and Networking Fair” held this time was aimed at providing: (1) an opportunity for exchange with Japanese companies for deepening their thoughts on collaboration with companies and (2) to build networks and exchange opinions among ABE participants.

African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE Initiative)
ABE Initiative is program that offers opportunities for African youths to study a master's course at Japanese universities and to experience internships at Japanese companies.
It aims to foster young personnel who can contribute to the development of industries in Africa as well as to be a "navigator" for Japanese firms’ operations in Africa.

* The year of 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the ABE Initiative.