2024 JICA ABE/LTTP Reporting, Send-Off & Networking Event held in Tanzania

On August 30, 2024, 2024 JICA ABE/LTTP Reporting, Send-Off & Networking Event was held for Tanzanian ex- and current participants of JICA Long Term Training Program (hereinafter referred to as “LTTP”), such as the ABE Initiative (hereinafter referred to as “ABE”) and the SDGs Global Leader Program (hereinafter referred to as “SDGs”). The event was conducted in a hybrid format, connecting a local event venue in Tanzania with Japan online. Approximately 80 participants, including Japanese companies, ex- and current participants, local government officials, and the Japanese Embassy, attended both locally and from Japan.

The event featured a send-off ceremony for 16 participants of this year’s ABE, SDGs and other LTTPs, as well as homecoming reports from ex-participants and business presentations from three Japanese companies that are currently or planning to expand their operations in Tanzania.

The event began with a welcome remark by Mr. Ara, Chief Representative of JICA Tanzania Office, in which he expressed his joy that through this event, ex- and current participants of JICA LTTP, Japanese companies, and government officials could share the experiences of the ex-participants in Japan. He also raised the participants’ awareness by expressing his expectations for further contributions to the network between Japan and Tanzania from the ex- and current participants.

Following this, the attendees received guest addresses from Mr. Misawa, Ambassador of Japan to Tanzania, Mr. Fadhili Mitimingi and Ms. Mansura M. Kassim, both from the Tanzanian Government’s Public Service Management and Good Governance.

16 new participants participating in this year’s JICA LTTP introduced themselves and shared their aspirations. Ms. Lita, a new participant expressed, “I want to study how Japan integrates technology into its financial systems and what we can learn from these innovations. I am also excited to learn how Japan’s financial processes can improve Tanzania’s systems.”

Following the self-introductions of 16 new participants, four JICA current and ex-participants shared their experiences, including their majors and internships in Japan, their achievements after returning home, messages of encouragement for new participants, and their future plans. Their good practices included that of an ex-participant who engaged in a new business development at a local subsidiary of a Japanese company and launched a last-mile delivery business in East Africa, as well as a good practice of another ex-participant who conducted local market research for a company he used to work for as an intern, contributing to the consideration of the company about their business expansion into Tanzania.

Additionally, many successful examples of serving as a bridge between Japan and Africa were shared, such as how JICA-supported local rice cultivation development projects have contributed to improving the living standards of people in Tanzania,

These presentations helped raise awareness among Tanzanian government officials, private companies, and Japanese companies based in Japan and Africa about the importance of JICA’s training programs. Furthermore, the network among the ex-participants was strengthened, and current participants gained a deeper understanding of the importance of studying in Japan and building relationships with Japanese companies and organizations for their future.

Following this, representatives from three Japanese companies shared their business overviews. Peel Lab, which produces artificial leather products using plants like pineapples, is seeking pineapple raw materials from Africa. They expressed their expectations and the necessity for local talents to expand their business locally and incorporate Tanzania into their supply chain. Additionally, WASSHA, which operates a solar-powered LED lantern rental business in Tanzania, conveyed their expectations for ABE Initiative personnel in line with further business expansion and local organizational growth. Saint Parts, which imports and sells used cars and used auto parts from Japan in Tanzania, also expressed high expectations for JICA training ex-participants as potential managerial candidates to support their expanding business and future market growth.

These Japanese companies were deeply recognized at this event to provide great opportunities and places where JICA training ex-participants will act as a bridge between Japan and Africa. This event highlighted the potential for good examples of collaboration between Japanese companies and ex-participants in the future.

After the presentations by the speakers, a session was held where all participants, both onsite and online, including JICA training ex-participants and representatives from Japanese companies, introduced themselves briefly. This provided an opportunity to foster the development of networks between ex-participants and Japanese companies, including online participants.

During this report event, it was once again highlighted and shared how young Africans who obtained their master’s degrees through the ABE Initiative Program and the SDGs Global Leader Program are thriving as business professionals maintaining connections with Japanese companies or as government officials after returning to their home countries, deepening their connections with Japan. These individuals are making significant contributions in various political and economic fields in their home countries, acting as bridges between Japan and Africa, and advancing across borders.

Finally, a networking session was held for onsite participants, where they deepened their friendships and exchanged lively opinions on the development of Tanzania’s industries and the further activation of Japanese companies’ business activities in Tanzania. Through this event, the ex-participants were seen seriously discussing with Japanese companies how to become bridges between Japan and Africa.

JICA will continue to support ABE Initiative and JICA LTTP current and ex- participants, while promoting network strengthening and collaboration with Japanese companies, striving to develop more human resources who will act as bridges between Africa and Japan.

(Implementation Overview)
・Event Name: 2024 JICA ABE/LTTP Reporting, Send-Off & Networking Event in Tanzania
・Date: August 30, 2024
・Organizer: JICA Tanzania Office
・Location: Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania: Protea Hotel by Marriott Courtyard and online participation

(Speakers)
・ABE Initiative & SDGs Global Leader Program ex-participants
Mr. Jacob Yamungu Jackso (ABE 9th Batch)　(online)
Mr. Beno Anton Kiwale (ABE 6th Batch)
Ms. MWAKYUSA Sanura Boniphace (SDGs 2022)
Mr. Aliasger Saifuddin Mohsin (ABE 5th Batch)
・Japanese Companies - Name, Position
Peel Lab: Mr. Jim Huang (CEO) (online)
Wassha Inc.: Mr. Tatsuki Yoneda (COO) (online)
Saint Parts: Mr. Kanyakiso Souhei Phiri (Sales Manager)

(Program Overview)
・August 30 (Friday)
・Opening Remarks: Mr. Ara, Chief representative of JICA Tanzania Office
・Guest Speeches:
Mr. Misawa, Ambassador of Japan to Tanzania
Tanzanian Government Representatives:
Mr. Mitimingi, Assistant Director of President’s Office, Public Service Management
Ms. Kassim, Principal Secretary of President’s Office, Constitution, Legal Affairs, Public Service Management and Good Governance
・Self-introductions and Aspirations by New JICA LTTP participants
・Presentations by JICA training current and ex-participants
・Business Introductions by Japanese Companies
・Brief self-introductions by JICA Training ex-participants and attendees from Japanese companies
・Closing Remarks: Mr. Ara, Chief Representative of JICA Tanzania Office
・Networking Session

(Background and Objectives)
JICA carries out long-term training programs, aiming at developing industrial talents, government officials, and young researchers in Africa. The Report and Networking Session was held this time to bring together ex-participants from the two programs below to enhance and promote collaborations among ex-participants and Japanese companies.

(The JICA long term trainings targeted for the event this time)

• African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE Initiative):

This program targets African youth, providing opportunities for them to obtain master’s degrees from Japanese universities and to participate in internships with Japanese companies. Its goal is to support African industry talents and to make those talents serve as “bridges” guiding Japanese businesses in Africa.

• SDGs Global Leaders Program:

This program aims to address SDGs-related policy challenges in each country. It focuses on developing top leaders deeply involved in policy decisions and building networks across various sectors (including government agencies, private companies, universities, NGOs, and JICA). Ultimately, it strengthens ties between Japan and Africa by nurturing talents familiar with Japan.