At the 5th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V), held in Yokohama in 2013, Prime Minister Abe announced the “African Business Education Initiative for Youth” (hereafter referred to as the “ABE Initiative”). This is a strategic five-year plan providing 1,000 youths in Africa with opportunities to study at Japanese universities as well as to do internships at Japanese enterprises. ABE Initiative builds on the concept that there is a need for human resource development in both private and public sectors of Africa through cultivating a strong human network between Japan and Africa.
At the TICAD 7 held in Yokohama in 2019, the initiative was renewed as “ABE initiative 3.0” which would provide opportunities for 3,000 youths in Africa to study and intern in Japan over the next 6 years.
Since 2014, more than 1,200 participants from all the 54 countries have ever joined the program, and over 1,100 participants have completed. This has resulted in establishing a wide range of human resource network of ABE Initiative participants. Furthermore, many Japanese companies and ABE Initiative participants have collaborated in various ways to promote private sectors development in Africa.
Objectives
- To support young generation willing to contribute to the development of industries in Africa. to foster persons that bridge between Africa and Japan through deep understanding of Japanese society and Japanese business culture.
Duration
September, 2022 – August, 2025
- 6 months as a research student if necessary
- 1 or 2 years as a master’s student
- Internship after graduation for the limited participants onl (details are to be determined) [NOTES]
- Participants may not be able to arrive in Japan by September 2022, depending on the situation of the pandemic. In such case, the participants are requested to start the program through online basis from their respective countries or enrollment will be postponed until participants are allowed to come to Japan in case the university does not provide online lectures.
Eligible
Eligible participants shall be divided into the following categories.
(1) From the Private Sector
- Those who has an experience in economic activities in the local private sectors and wish to contribute to Africa’s development through cultivating strong network with Japanese companies.
- From Government (Related to areas of interest of Japanese companies)
- Those who take part in formulation and/or implementation of industrial policies and wish to contribute to Africa’s development through government activities.
- Those who are engaged in the areas of which Japanese companies have interest in the applicant’s country.
Internship at Japanese Private Companies/ Networking with Japanese Companies
- All participants are expected to do internships at Japanese companies during their stay in Japan (ex. summer break, after
graduation, etc.). - Internship programs are carried out in English. In principle, any reward or compensation should NOT be paid to both the companies and the participants. Details of the internships will be fixed at the hosting companies’ convenience.
- All participants are expected to participate in the networking fair in order to get relationship with Japanese companies.
Additional Program
- All participants are expected to participate in “Additional Program” such as Japanese language seminar, etc.
- Participants have an opportunity to join in Japan Development Studies Program (JICA-DSP). The Program aims to know about Japan’s modernization and development experiences and its wisdom after World War II.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
(1) Nationality – Citizens of one of the 54 African countries
(2) Age – Less than forty (40) years of age (as of April 1st, 2022)
(3) Educational background
- Bachelor’s degree (equivalent to at least 16 years of academic background).
Working experience /status
Applicants for the category of “From the Private Sector” are required:
- to have working experiences,
- not to be employed by Japanese companies at the timing of joining the program (arriving in Japan).
Applicants for the category of “From Government” are required: - to have more than 6 months working experience at their current organizations and
- to obtain permission for application, and
- to secure reinstatement from their current organizations.
English Language Proficiency
- Adequate English skills both in written and oral communication to complete the Master’s Degree such as;
- TOEFL iBT :80 / CEFR :B2 (estimated score)
- *The required level of English for admission may differ according to university
Others
Applicants must:
- be in good health condition to complete the program, contribute to networking with Japanese companies, not receive or plan to receive a scholarship offered by other organizations, and
- attend the activities on the weekends once or twice par year in unavoidable circumstances.
Benefits
JICA will provide the following expenses for participant of the program that is equivalent to similar JICA schemes.
- Tuition at Japanese university Master’s Degree programs (and research student).
- Allowances for living expenses, outfit, shipping etc. See the box below for more details.
- A round-trip airfare
Other costs should be covered by the participants’ organizations or other individuals.
*Participants are not allowed to work while their stay in Japan.
*To invite family to Japan (spouse and children only), participants should be responsible for all expenses and necessary procedures in Japan by themselves. JICA does not provide any support or additional financial assistance except issuing necessary documents for the process. - If the participants wish to invite families, JICA strongly recommends doing so AFTER 6 MONTHS upon arrival in Japan at the earliest.
Documents
Application Deadline: October 28th, 2021
For More Information:
