Project NINJA

Background

The Japan International Cooperation Agency is the implementing body of the support of the Government of Japan. Official bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Japan began in 1972. In 1993, the JICA Ethiopia Office was opened in Addis Ababa.

Currently, JICA launched Project NINJA which aims to support investment-ready startups in developing region such as Africa and Asia. NINJA, as the project is called, is an abbreviation of "Next Innovation with Japan". With a population of 112 million, Ethiopia is a large enough market for startups to do business. The country is full of potential, with little competition for companies, while market growth is expected to be significant as the country transitions to a digital economy due to the recent relaxation of the telecommunications environment and the promotion of policies to expand the digital economy.

Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia (MinT) will host "Ethiopia Startup Innovation Pitch" for investors and companies from Japan, Europe, the U.S. and Ethiopia. 8 companies representing Ethiopia, selected from 114 companies, will make a pitch to showcase Ethiopia's startup The event will be held at Addis Ababa, and will feature 8 startups selected from 114 companies to pitch their products and services.

We are looking for companies and organizations that can receive "special prizes" (Permission to use services for a certain period, provision of equipment, consideration of business collaboration, investment, grants, research commissions, etc.) for their presentations at the event, as follows.

If you have any questions, please contact us at the following e-mail address.
E-mail: Aoki.Rika2@jica.go.jp
The person in charge; Ms. Aoki (Team2, Private Sector Development Group, Economic Development Department)

Application Requirements
Corporate companies, economic organizations, and industry associations in Japan, Ethiopia and all over the world.

Language of the event
Japanese (simultaneous English - Japanese interpretation available)

Gratuities.
None
- If you wish, we can show a promotional video of your company before or after the event.
- We will publicize the "Special Award" and your company on our website and in the media after the event.

Screening Method
Document screening, etc.

Application deadline
November 30, 2022 (Wednesday) 17:00 (JST)

How to apply
Please fill out the application form and send it to the following e-mail address by the above deadline.
Click here (Word/17.5KB) for Application Form
E-mail: Aoki.Rika2@jica.go.jp
The person in charge; Ms. Aoki (Teams2, Private Sector Development Group, Economic Development Department)

Pitch Event Location
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Online participation) *Companies which will provide the Special Award can join online.

Schedule

1. Application Deadline: Wednesday, November 30, 2022
2. Selection
3. Decision (Applicants will be notified of acceptance or rejection by Monday, December 5, 2022)
4. Briefing on the day of the event (early December 2022)
5. Pitch event (December 9, 2022)

Overview of pitch event

• Co-organized by: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia.
• Date: Friday, December 9, 2022, 17:00-19:00 (tentative)
• Venue: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Online participation) *Companies which will provide the Special Award can join online.
• Online tool: Zoom
• On the day of the event, we would like you to have comments on the presentations and the announcement of the special awards via online streaming or in the venue of Addis Ababa.
• The following Startups will pitch at the event.

Please see the brief outline of each start-up in the webpage below;

• December 9, 2022 [Online Pitch Event] Ethiopia Startup Innovation Pitch

Related Links

• December 9, 2022 [Online Pitch Event] Ethiopia Startup Innovation Pitch (Japanese)
• Project NINJA (Japanese)