Project NINJA

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia (MInT) are pleased to announce the " Ethiopia NINJA Acceleration Program Graduation -Unpacking the Current Ethiopian Startup Ecosystem- " will be held as part of “Project NINJA (Next Innovation with Japan)” [1] . Six of Ethiopia's best startups, selected from approximately 100 companies, will present the results of their 4-month acceleration program, and discuss in depth the startup support programs that are necessary for the development of African startups. In addition, a panel of four experts will discuss the current state of the startup ecosystem and share the results of a startup ecosystem survey conducted by JICA.

This is a valuable opportunity to learn about the status of startups in Africa, so please join us.

Online Participation: [Please register here (English)(external link)]

[Click here for videos of each startup]

Ethiopia's Tech Market is attracting global attention

As digital transformation (DX) accelerates worldwide, new businesses utilizing technology are attracting attention, and investment from Europe and the U.S. is increasing as they focus on the potential market. With a population of around 112 million, Ethiopia is a market large enough for startups to develop their businesses. In recent years, the transition to a digital economy has progressed due to the improvement of the communication environment and government policies, making it one of the countries full of business potential.

Event Details

• Event Title: Ethiopia NINJA Acceleration Program Graduation -Unpacking the Current Ethiopian Startup Ecosystem-
• Organizes: JICA, MInT
• Date: Tuesday, August 15th, 2023,10:00am-12:00pm (East African Time: Ethiopia time)
• Place: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Sapphire Hotel), Online (Zoom Webinar)
• Interpretation: English/Japanese (simultaneous interpretation)

10:00-10:20	Opening speech
10:20-11:00	Presentation: Acceleration Program Learning "Listening to the Exciting Journey of Startups -Content: Learning from Acceleration program and future plan, MVP（Minimum Viable Product） and PMF（Product Market Fit） activities and results -Speakers: 6 startups listed below
11:00-11:30	Panel Discussion: "The Evolution of Startups and Investment Space in Ethiopia - Panelists: Accelerators/incubators, Startup founder, MInT, Investor/ Program Implementation Outsourcing Company (RENEW CAPITAL)
11:30-11:40	Lecture : Business Survey in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia "Unpacking the Current State of the Startup Ecosystem in Ethiopia Speakers: Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology/JICA expert
11:40-12:00	Closing speech

Startups

Gebeta Software PLC
Product name: Gebeta Maps/Gebeta Kitchens
Sector: Digitization in ICT/ logistics-tech
Established in 2019
Number of Employees: <5
Description: Gebeta Software is a software company working on providing solutions and platforms to facilitate logistics, routing and similar services at an affordable rate.
Website: gebeta.app (external link)

Fibermart Trading Company
Product name: Fibermart
Sector: Manufacture (Energy)
Established in 2018
Number of Employees: 10+
Description: Fibermart Trading designs and deploy energy kiosks that are powered by solar. They can be used to provide financial access and connectivity for frontier markets. The kiosks have a refrigerator, charging hub and WiFi.
Website: Fiberkiosk.com (external link)

Guzo Technologies PLC
Product name: Guzomap XR Studio
Sector: E-Tourism/VR-Tourism
Established in 2019
Number of Employees: 6-10
Description: Guzo Technologies Plc (Guzotech) is an Internet of Things and XR(Extended Reality) products prototyping startup headquartered in Addis Ababa. Guzotech builds interactive and immersive experiences for enterprises and government institutions.
Website: guzo.tech (external link)

WeCare Digital Health
Product name: WeCare Digital Health
Sector: Health-Tech
Established in 2021
Number of Employees: 6-10
Description: WeCare Digital Health is a SaaS company with an innovative virtual health consultation service. Their mobile applications, along with their call center, aims to help clients book and consult a healthcare professional of their choice from the comfort of their homes.
Website: wecare.et (external link)

Storm Online Technologies/Shemach
Product name: Shemach
Sector: Digitization in ICT
Established in 2022
Number of Employees: 10+
Description: Shemach is a one-stop digital marketplace that connects retailers and FMCG manufacturers. Retailers order products via their platform from the comfort of their shop and receive same-day free delivery.
FMCG manufacturers are then able to obtain real-time market insight and processed data on their retail customers.
Website: shemach.co (external link)

Commerce 360 / Taywan
Product name: Taywan
Sector: Retail Tech
Established in 2020
Number of Employees: 20+
Description: Taywan is a B2B E-commerce and financing embedded platform that empowers informal trade and restocking for merchants, retailers, and kiosk across Ethiopia.
Website: taywan.store (external link)

Ethiopia NINJA Acceleration Program Overview

JICA and MInT are implementing the NINJA Acceleration Program with the aim of supporting outstanding startups that solve social problems and contribute significantly to economic growth and employment in Ethiopia. The program and pitch competition are aimed at improving and enhancing the environment of startups by helping entrepreneurs obtain training, improve access to funding and connect them with critical resources to actualize their business plans.

A call for participating companies was issued in December 2022, and 31 companies were selected in the first round from approximately 100 Ethiopian applicants. In January 2023, 31 companies participated in a one-week training program and RENEW CAPITAL, an investment firm active in Africa and headquartered in Ethiopia, gave lectures on everything from startup success secrets to finance and pitching training. Investors provided advice on each company's pitch, and entrepreneurs actively asked questions, commissioned by JICA. In the second round of the selection process held in February, each company demonstrated the pitch skills brushed up in the above training. About 100 viewers participated in the online and on-site final pitch selection on March 8, and the final 6 companies were selected.

In this event, six companies that have overcome the entire process and selected among 15 startups, will pitch as a kick-off of the four-month acceleration program. The six companies will take a four-month business development training and proof of concept (PoC), and will participate in knowledge co-creation program in Japan in June 2023.

Acceleration Program Milestones to Date

1) One-week training program
31 companies, selected from approximately 100 companies through a screening process, participated in the training. Each company gave a demo pitch, and received lectures from an investor from Renew, an Ethiopia-based investment firm commissioned by JICA. Other entrepreneurs asked questions in the role of "investors" and learned what is the best pitch from the perspective of "investors". They also received lectures on finance, marketing, Product Market Fit (PMF), and other skills necessary for entrepreneurs.

2) Selection & Final Online Pitch
In February, startups that participated in the one-week training program went on to the second-round selection process, using the pitch deck and skills that they had brushed up on during the training. The judges were amazed at the pitches, which were more polished than those during the training. As a result, 15 companies were selected.
On March 8, 2023, the final pitch was held physically and online, connected to the world. Approximately 220 people pre-registered for the event, and about 100 people participated online and at the venue. 15 people made passionate final pitches, and tough questions were asked by a panel of judges (investors). After the selection, the entrepreneurs communicated with each other and commented that they were more nervous than usual with the video camera and the tough questions from the judges, and they also showed their expressions of accomplishment after the event. Later, 6 start-ups were selected from them.

4) Proof of Concept Program & 4-months Business Development Training
The 6 finalists were selected to participate in a four-months business development training program. Twice weekly lectures and mentoring were provided by experts in legal, marketing, and other fields. In addition to the specialized training, which was conducted in a small group setting, each company was given the opportunity to represent Ethiopia and share their perspectives and know-how on how to expand their business globally. In addition, a Proof-of-Concept program was conducted utilizing up to 500,000 ETB (about 9,000 USD).
The following are comments from the startups: " It was exciting, and it provided us with a game-changing environment right from the start. It really helped me to reassess my own growth and what I had been through, and to understand the substantive criteria for forming a startup or company.", “The JICA program was very unique and different from others. It thoroughly taught me about business models, strategic plans, and how to properly and appropriately implement a startup business."

5) Knowledge Co-Creation Program in Japan
In June 2023, 9 staff members of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia (MInT) and 6 selected Ethiopian startups participated Knowledge Co-Creation Program in Japan and visited Tokyo and Kitakyushu. JICA also invited the Minister, H.E Belete Molla Getahun (Phd), and the State Minister, H.E Bayissa Badada Badassa(Phd) and 2 high officials of MInT.
They visited and attended lectures on national startup policies implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN (SMRJ). They also visited such as ETIC, Aoyama Startup Acceleration Center (ASAC), Verod-Kepple Africa Partners, Kyushu University, Fujitsu Technology Hall and Kawasaki Robostage, and learnt about Japanese startup ecosystem and digital technology holistically from various ecosystem actors like investors, accelerators, educational institution and big private enterprise. In addition, startup had some opportunities to pitch, and they got many advice. The visit was fruitful for both MInT and startups.