• 

Date

2022/8/23 (Tue)19:30-21:00（JST）

Field

Youth, Human Resources

Type of Event

Online Webinar

Co-Host

African Development Bank (AfDB)

Background

In the future, the continent of Africa will be brimming with the power of energetic youth. The continent's population is growing rapidly. In 2050, it is expected that one fourth of the world's population will reside in Africa, and youth will account for 60% of the African population. For the economic development and the construction of a more resilient society in Africa, the continent needs well-educated and skilled talent.
From this perspective, the government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched the African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE Initiative) at TICAD V in 2013. The program provides opportunities for African youth to study at Japanese graduate schools and intern at Japanese companies. It aims at developing industrial human resources and “navigators” who support Japanese companies' business expansion in Africa. JICA has accepted more than 1,500 youths from African countries so far.
In 2017, African Development Bank (AfDB) launched a program called “Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS)” with contribution from the Japanese government, to give a financial support to African youth to study in Japan.
During this event, we will discuss the value of learning opportunities in Japan for African youth as well as how scholarship programs offered by development institutions can accelerate Japan-Africa collaboration toward sustainable development.

Key Questions

• How do learning opportunities in Japan contribute to the career development of African youth in Africa?
• How can scholarship programs offered by development institutions contribute the development of industrial human resources in Africa and facilitate collaborations between African youth and the Japanese private sector in co-creating business solutions for sustainable development?
• What can be done more for strengthening the mutual trust relationship between Japan and Africa through studying in Japan?

Objective

To share widely among Japanese and African stakeholders the value of opportunities for African youth to study at Japanese universities in order to contribute to the continent's development and deepen the partnership between Africa and Japan.

Speakers

Mr. MIHARA Asahiko

Special Advisor, JICA

Dr. ADESINA A. Akinwumi

President, AfDB (Video message)

Mr. SHIBUSAWA Ken

Vice Chairman Africa Project Team, KEIZAI DOYUKAI (CEO, Shibusawa and Company, Inc.)

Mr. OHASHI Tetsuji

Vice Chairs/ Chair of Committee on Sub-Saharan Africa, KEIDANREN (Chairman of the Board, Komatsu Ltd.)

Dr. KITAOKA Shinichi

Special Advisor to the President, JICA

Mr. KWANTWI Daniel Elliot

ABE Initiative Alumnus（Chief Executive Officer, TranSoniCa Company Limited.）

Ms. AGADA Ihuoma Nkechi

ABE Initiative Alumna（Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Project Coordinator (Embassy of Japan in Nigeria)）

Mr. OKONKWO Henry

JADS Alumnus

Ms. KAVOO Mercy

JADS Alumna

Prof. KATO Hiroshi

Vice President, International University of Japan

Mr. NAKAMURA Toshiyuki

Senior Vice President, JICA

Dr. DUNFORD Beth

Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social, Development, AfDB

Dr. MHEDE Edwin Paul

CEO, DAR Rapid Transit Agency

Ms. FUJITA Kaori

Director, Hinode Sangyo Co., Ltd.

*The deadline for registration is 17:00, Monday, August 22 (Japan time).