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April 28, 2023

"Abe's Children" Return to Ethiopia After Studying in Japan

After a hiatus due to COVID, a reporting and networking session for students returning from the Scholarship program of African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE initiative) in Japan was held on April 28.

Fondly referred to as "Abe's Children", the students that partake in the program are beneficiaries of a strategic program by the Japanese government to provide African youth with the opportunity to pursue higher education (Master's and PhD) in Japan. The late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe launched the initiative in 2013 at the fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development with the aim of developing human resources in both the public and private sectors.

In connection with this, 11, 6 and 2 Ethiopians were sent to Japan in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively; during this event 4 returnees and one student from the SDG Global Leaders Program shared the impact of their education in Japan and the status of their current career paths. At the event, they had the opportunity to network with the Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia, representatives from Itochu Corp, Safaricom Ethiopia and UNIDO.

Many ABE returnees are fulfilling the goal of building bridges between Ethiopia and Japan by encouraging Japanese investors to visit Ethiopia in search of investment opportunities. Others have built strong relationships while in Japan, sharing information about Ethiopia's culture and traditions.

More than 1,600 students from Africa (80+ from #Ethiopia), have been sent to #Japan under this program and we are hopeful that this will continue to strengthen the ties between #Africa and Japan.

Photo(Left to Right, Front): Mr. Shintaro Takano, JICA; Ambassador Takako Ito; Dr. Katsuki Morihara; Mr. Tadesse Dadi Sengi, UNIDO.
(Back, ABE returnees): Mr. Mekonnen Melaku; Ms. Bezawit Endeshaw Tesema; Ms. Meklit Teshome; Mr. Derebew Yenet Bogale, Mr. Lisanework Gebrie Yirsaw (SDG returnee); Mr. Biya Girma.


PhotoOpening remarks by H.E Takako Ito, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan.

PhotoPresentation by Mr. Derebew Yenet Bogale


PhotoPresentation by Ms. Bezawit Endeshaw Tesema

PhotoPresentation by Mr. Biya Girma


PhotoPresentation by Mr. Yirsaw Gebrie Lisanework

PhotoPresentation on career opportunities at Safaricom Ethiopia by Ms. Bethlehem Tameru, Business Strategy Manager.


PhotoClosing remarks and words of encouragement by Dr. Katsuki Morihara, Chief Representative, JICA Ethiopia.

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