NINJA Acceleration Program Graduates 6 Startups

The NINJA acceleration program, a startup support initiative by JICA aims to support entrepreneurship, innovation and the creation of new business to strengthen the startup ecosystem in emerging countries, graduated its first cohort in Ethiopia. Supported by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT) and JICA, 6 startups graduated on August 15 in a hybrid in-person and online event attended by about 150 guests comprised of startup accelerators, international organizations and stakeholders in the startup ecosystem.

The 5 startups took center stage sharing their key takeaways from the program, including the 4-month training period, their trip to Japan to visit startups and to pitch to potential investors in Japan.

This was followed by a panel discussion, on the challenges and strengths of the startup ecosystem in Addis Ababa featuring industry experts such as Mr. Selamyehun Adefris, Director General, Innovation and Research, MInT; Mr. JC Oelofse, Investment Lead, Renew Capital; Mr. Pazion Cherinet, CEO Orbit Innovation Hub; and Mr. Tigabu Haile, Founder, Eshi Express.

Lastly, JICA and MInT presented their findings from a joint survey on the Startup Ecosystem in Addis Ababa, which can be found here URL

JICA Project NINJA
https://www.jica.go.jp/english/our_work/thematic_issues/private/information/20230726.html