JICA signed a memorandum of understanding with JETRO and UNDP on the occasion of TICAD 7 in 2019 for business cooperation to promote investment and business support in Africa by the three organizations. The three organizations have been working together for three years until 2022 to conduct seminars on Africa for Japanese companies and provide support to Japanese SMEs trying to expand into Africa. This time, on the occasion of TICAD 8, a new MOU was concluded with the addition of UNIDO, which has abundant experience and achievements in industrial development in developing countries.
President Tanaka emphasized the importance of the role of the private sector in African countries currently facing complex crises in order to increase their resilience against future crises, overcome challenges, and achieve sustainable development. He also stated that “under the collaboration of the four organizations, the international community will realize solidarity and work together to help Africa recover from the complex crises it is facing.
The four institutions that have signed the MOU have agreed to cooperate to strengthen the link between African SMEs and the technology and business know-how of Japanese companies, and will further promote collaboration mainly in the following areas
Expected effects of the collaboration among the four institutions
Contribute to Africa’s economic and social development through innovation and start-up support
Promote business development in Africa by the Japanese private sector (especially SMEs) and contribute to Africa’s development through this development.
The main contents of collaboration in the MOU are as follows
Co-sponsorship of seminars, symposiums, workshops, etc., and joint publicity
Matching opportunities and challenges in Africa with technologies and services of Japanese companies (especially SMEs)
Promote innovation by entrepreneurs and start-ups in both Japan and Africa
Regular dialogue, consultation, and information exchange
© Source JICA