JICA Networking Seminar for African Participants Held in Tokyo!

On December 23, 2024, the "JICA Networking Seminar for African Participants," which brought together 181 JICA participants from Africa who arrived in Japan this year, was held in Tokyo.

In the opening remarks, Mr. Ichiro Aisawa, a member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of Japan-Africa Union(AU) Parliamentary Friendship League, Mr. Asahiko Mihara, JICA Special Advisor, and His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Abubakr, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The Arab Republic of Egypt to Japan, delivered their messages of encouragement to the current participants. They emphasized the precious opportunity to study in Japan, the importance of making the most of it, and the need for Africa to work as a team for its development. They also mentioned TICAD 9, which will be held in Japan in August 2025, highlighting the significance of year 2025 for both Japan and Africa and encouraging everyone to strive together.

The venue was filled with hopes and enthusiasm of the current participants for their future. They sincerely received the heartfelt welcome and encouragement messages delivered in the opening remarks, and they were determined to make the most of their time in Japan.

Next, Mr. Naoki Ando, JICA Senior Vice President, explained JICA's cooperation to Africa. He emphasized that the Japanese government and JICA aim to "develop regions" and "nurture people." He expressed his hope that the participants would have their education in Japan to contribute to the development of their home countries by utilizing their resources independently, rather than relying on external supports. He also encouraged them to deepen their ties with Japan and strive to build good relationships in the future.

Next, Dr. Seiichiro Yonekura, Professor Emeritus at Hitotsubashi University, gave a lecture on the theme "What is Entrepreneurial Spirit?". He discussed Japan's post-war recovery and the driving force behind it, emphasizing the importance of "education" for the development of their home countries. Although the participants have just begun their around two-year graduate studies in Japan, they reaffirmed the significance of newly learning in Japan.

After Dr. Yonekura's lecture, the participants were divided into groups for a workshop. They set themes with the goal of becoming future business partners with Japan, identified the strengths and areas for improvement in both Japan and their home countries, and explored better solutions. After active discussions within the groups, each group presented their solutions, and some outstanding proposals were awarded. The participants have now built new networks and are expected to continue their studies in Japan with a high sense of purpose gained through the workshop discussions on changing the world through innovation.

In the closing remarks, Mr. Motohiro Matsumura, Director of JICA Africa Department, sent warm cheers to the participants for their future activities in Japan.

Through their upcoming study experiences in Japan, we hope that the participants will become bridges between Japan and Africa, gaining many new and beautiful encounters and experiences. This program has provided a solid starting point for the participants who have joined this event.

Event Overview:
Event Name: JICA Networking Seminar for African participants
Date: Monday, December 23, 2024
Organizer: JICA
Venue: Shinjuku Sumitomo Building

Participants:
181 current participants from Africa participating in the following programs:
• ABE Initiative 11th batch: 87 participants
• SDGs Global Leader 2024 (from the African region):38 participants
• Tanzania Capacity Development for Officials of the Ministry of Finance and Planning through Master’s Degree Programs: 4 participants
• Other long-term JICA training programs: 21 participants
• JDS (the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid) (from Kenya, Senegal, Ghana): 30 participants
• Any other program: 1 participant

Program Overview: December 23 (Monday)
• Opening Remarks
・Mr. Ichiro Aisawa, Member of the House of Representatives and Japan-Africa Union(AU) Parliamentary Friendship League
・ Mr. Asahiko Mihara, JICA Special Advisor
・ His Excellency, Mr. Mohamed Abubakr, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The Arab Republic of Egypt to Japan

• JICA's Cooperation in the Industrial Development and Business Fields in Africa
Mr. Naoki Ando, JICA Senior Vice President
• “Entrepreneurial Spirit"
Dr. Seiichiro Yonekura, Professor Emeritus at Hitotsubashi University
• Group Work
Workshop on Innovation
• Evaluation of Group Work Results
Dr. Seiichiro Yonekura, Professor Emeritus at Hitotsubashi University
Evaluation and announcement of outstanding proposals submitted by each team during the group work
• Closing Remarks
Mr. Motohiro Matsumura, Director of JICA Africa Department
• Networking between JICA Africa Department staff and current participants

Background and Purpose:
JICA conducts long-term training programs aimed at developing industrial human resources, government officials, and young researchers in Africa. The JICA Networking Seminar for African Current participants held this time was aimed at current participants from the following two programs as well as those African participants from other programs:
(1) To introduce the aims of the ABE Initiative to African students and to deepen awareness of participants to contribute to Africa's economic and social development in collaboration with Japanese companies, as well as to cultivate an entrepreneurship spirit for taking actions during their stay in Japan.
(2) To deepen an understanding of JICA's cooperation in the field of industrial and business development in Africa

Target Programs:
・ 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 Leader :
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.