Participants Making an Impact on a Worldwide Gathering to Discuss Their Wonderful Achievements!

On September 27, we held an exciting JICA ABE Initiative and SDGs Global Leaders programs (hereinafter referred to as “SDGs-GL”) Reporting Session and Networking Fair 2024 in Mozambique, connecting participants both at a hotel in Maputo, Mozambique and online in a dynamic hybrid format. At the venue, we were honored to hear greetings from the Japanese ambassador to Mozambique, His Excellency Mr. HAMADA Keiji, and Mozambican Government Officials.

The event was a vibrant gathering, with around 40 participants at the hotel in Mozambique and more than 30 joining us online.

Our speakers included three accomplished participants from ABE program and one from SDGs-GL program, all of whom are shining track records of success. They generously shared how they have achieved and are achieving great successes, and their future businesses and research plans to strengthen the relationship among Japan and Mozambique.

Kicking off the presentations was Mr. MORAIS Sergio Elidio, an 8eighth-term batch participant of the ABE program, who shared his thrilling current project. During his internship at a Japanese company-Assentia Holdings, he proposed to the Japanese company his fascinating business idea of launching a laundry business in his home country with the strong passion that laundry provides healthy life to the people out there. He is now about to start the first laundromat operation in Maputo, using cost-effective second-hand machines imported from Japan. His passion and business philosophy are resonating with many Japanese partners now. He also aims to liberate women from the burden of laundry, empowering them to use their time more freely, and driving social change in the process. We are excited to see how his venture unfolds!

Next up was Ms. Safrina Ernesto Chico（ABE program,8th batch), who pursued her MBA at International University Japan in Niigata prefecture. Currently, she is involved with a second-hand car exporting company in Japan, where she is in charge of developing new markets outside Japan and innovating the company’s services and products. She is also helping young Mozambiquans in gaining access to Japanese expertise and networks in the used car auction industry. Her plan is to provide fully recycled energy storage systems, where electric vehicle owners can swap empty batteries with fully charged batteries from the recharging systems, emphasizing the importance of networking to foster societal improvement.

Next, Mr. Chaca Silvio De Lopes MAFUIANE, a 4th batch participant of the ABE program, studied engineering at Kyoto University and is actively innovating for making small size farming mechanized by using agricultural machinery. By importing and utilizing second-hand equipment from Japan, he is creating sustainable solutions that benefit both Mozambique and Japan, making a positive impact on the small farming in Mozambique.

The next speaker was Dr. PAPEL Joao Filipe, the trailblazing 1st batch participant of the SDGs-GL program, who is now a prominent scientist, making strides globally. He earned his doctorate in Japan and presented his groundbreaking research at prestigious IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) international conferences in the UK and Germany. Now, he teaches as a researcher at a university in Mozambique and is actively fostering collaborations among Tokai University in Japan, the United Nations University, and his university, contributing to the prosperity of both nations. Now he is appointed as the first Mozambiquan member of IEEE’s Consumer Systems for Healthcare and Wellbeing, and is greatly contributing to world-wide researchers ‘activities in this field. His determination and success will undoubtedly inspire future JICA scholars who embark on similar journeys!

The last speaker was Mr. Atsushi Matsunaga from JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization, Maputo office), who shared valuable insights on how Japanese companies can thrive in Mozambique and have been investing in and contributing to the Mozambiquan economy. Their contributions promise to enrich future business collaborations between our countries.

After the presentations, we opened the floor for a lively Q&A session, during which attendees eagerly posed business-related questions, fostering meaningful dialogue and making the meeting truly engaging.
In the closing remarks, Mr. Kazuki Otsuka, JICA Mozambique Chief Representative, expressed his gratitude to all the ABE Ex-participants and the Japanese companies that participated in this event in addition to giving words of encouragement to the ABE 11th batch participants who will be studying in Japan from this fall.

After the event was over, there was an opportunity for Mozambican government officials, Embassy of Japan, local Japanese and Mozambiquan companies, ABE and SDGs-GL ex-participants to interact with each other at the onsite venue, and then the venue eventually became a place to share ideas for activities and collaborations. This led to new networking creations among the persons involved.

Through this event, ABE and SDGs-GL Ex- and current participants had the opportunity to deepen their learning from each other's experiences and activities, exchange opinions, and further strengthen their networks. Furthermore, the event helped to further promote understanding of the ABE Initiative program among Japanese companies and Mozambique government officials.

JICA will continue to strengthen the networks of ABE Initiative and SDGs-GL participants and to promote collaboration with Japanese companies. In addition, JICA on behalf of the Japanese government will strive to develop more human resources who can contribute to a bridge-building between Africa and Japan.

(Implementation Overview)

• Event Name: ABE Initiative Reporting Session / Networking Fair 2024 in Mozambique
• Date: September 27, 2024
• Organizer: JICA Mozambique Office
• Location: Maputo, Mozambique: Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence, Maputo and online participation

(Speakers) “*” indicates online participants.

• ABE Initiative & SDGs Global Leader Program ex-participants

Mr. MORAIS Sergio Elidio (ABE 8th Batch)
Ms. Safrina Ernesto Chico (ABE 8th Batch) *
Dr. PAPEL Joao Filipe (SDGs-GL 2020) *
Mr. Chaca Silvio De Lopes MAFUIANE (ABE 4th Batch)

• Japanese Company - Name, Position

JETRO Maputo Office: Mr. Atsushi Matsunaga (Director)

(Program Overview)

• September 27 (Friday)

• Opening Remarks & Guest Speeches:

• Mr. HAMADA Keiji, Ambassador of Japan in Mozambique
• Mr. Hernani MUCANHANE, Representative of CTA
• Ms. Carla CAOMBA, IBE Director on behalf of the MCTES

• Outline of JICA and ABE (SDGs-GL): JICA Mozambique Office
• Presentations by ABE and SDGs-GL ex-participants
• Presentation by Mr. Matsunaga from JETRO Maputo Office
• Closing Remarks: Mr. Otsuka, Chief Representative of JICA Mozambique Office
• Networking Session (onsite only)

(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．