Skip to content
Menu
Konrad News
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
Konrad News

Seminar Report: “African Economy from Okinawa – Start-up Market Potential 2023” Seminar! (July 12 in Okinawa) | News & Media

Posted on 2023-08-14 by Editor in Chief

summary

Conference Name

African Economy from Okinawa – Startup Market Potential 2023

date(s) (e.g. for exhibition)

July 12

organizing

Japan International Cooperation Agency, Cosponsored by JETRO Okinawa / Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Okinawa Office

Location

JICA Okinawa

Main Participants

lecture

Mr. Ahmad Batule, National Digital Innovation Agency of Nigeria

Naoto Yamamoto (Rinnovation/President)

panelist

Kunihiro Shimoji (Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, EF Polymer Co.)

Riki Yamauchi, Founder, Riviera Partners

Naonobu Fuwa, Advisor for Entrepreneurship Support and Innovation Promotion, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Nigeria

chairmanship

Shinji Kotari (Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan)

Background and Objectives

Africa, the last growing continent. With a current population of 1.4 billion and projected to grow to 2.5 billion by 2050, one in four of the world’s population will be in Africa. Many startups are being created, mainly by young people who aim to solve local social issues by utilizing technology, and investment from the world, especially from Europe and the United States, is expanding. We invited government officials and experts from Nigeria, which boasts the largest economy, population, and startup investment in Africa, and held a seminar to explain the current African tech market and to share the experiences of Okinawan business owners who are considering expanding into Africa. The seminar was held to explain the current African tech market and to share the experiences of Okinawan business owners considering expansion into Africa.

Contents

Lectures

Mr. Batule explained the current state of the startup ecosystem in Nigeria, which is currently active with about 3,000 companies, with growth in the number and value of investments and a large number of startups in the fintech and e-commerce sectors. He also emphasized the progress in infrastructure development, the growth potential of the market with a population of 200 million, and the implementation of policies to support startups, all of which are promising.

Mr. Yamamoto introduced a business model in which bagasse, the residue left over after sugarcane is pressed, is upcycled as a raw material to develop unique materials, and denim products are produced and sold.

  1. Panel Discussion

Mr. Fuwa introduced specific examples of startups in Africa, noting that Okinawa’s business model seems to be a good fit for Africa. He also explained that when expanding into Africa, it is effective to work with local partners and approach their customer base and networks. Mr. Yamauchi explained that the amount of investment in startups in Africa is about the same as in Japan, and that the major sectors and characteristics differ by country. He also pointed out that although Africa has growth potential, it lacks in providing manufacturing solutions, and that Japan and Africa, with its manufacturing technology, are a good match.

Mr. Shimoji mentioned that EF Polymer Co., Ltd. which was born out of the startup accelerator program at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, is developing environmentally friendly organic polymers by upcycling the inedible residues of vegetables and fruits. The company is developing environmentally friendly organic polymers by upcycling inedible residues of vegetables and fruits.

The seminar provided an insight into the affinity between geographically distant Okinawa and Africa and the potential for future collaboration. We look forward to the future development of both regions, and JICA will continue its efforts to strengthen the startup ecosystem.

read more

© Source JICA

Auto Amazon Links: No products found.

Auto Amazon Links: No products found.

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
JICA
JICA contributions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Auto Amazon Links: No products found.

Recent Posts

  • Funabashi Tobu to sell collaboration food with the pear fairy “Fluffy”; 28 stores to eat in; 38 kinds of Japanese and Western sweets, etc.
  • JR Tokai: Collaboration with Nagoya’s famous confectionery on the 5th anniversary of “Pushy Trip x “Pokemaze”. Tokaido Shinkansen boarding commemorative acrylic charms and stamp rally.
  • Moomin” appears on Takarajimasya’s fatigue-relieving wear. Embroidered with Little Mii and Nyoronyo
  • RV Park DOG KENNEL is located at the tip of the Boso Peninsula, 5 minutes from the sea! We stayed at an RV park opened at the tip of Boso Peninsula where you can stay with your dog RV Park DOG KENNEL
  • Odakyu Hakone, “Night Hydrangea Issue” on mountain tram in early summer. Lighting up starts on June 13.

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Archives

  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022

Categories

  • business
  • investment
  • Japan
  • JICA contributions
  • Kyoto Prefecture
  • market
  • technology
  • travelling
  • Uncategorized
©2025 Konrad News | Powered by WordPress & Superb Themes