5th Batch African Business Education Initiative for Youth

Application Deadline: October 2017

Master’s Degree and Internship Program of the African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE Initiative) Batch Five.

At the 5th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V), held in Yokohama in 2013, Japan’s Government stated its policy of promoting support for the ongoing dynamic growth of Africa with stronger public-private partnerships. In his speech, Japanese Prime Minister Abe announced the “African Business Education Initiative for Youth (hereafter, referred to as the “ABE Initiative”), a strategic five-year plan providing 1,000 youths in Africa with opportunities to study at Japanese universities as well as do internships at Japanese enterprises. Prior to the TICAD V, Japanese industries, including the Federation of Economic Organizations (KEIDANREN) and the Japanese government, had made a joint recommendation for TICAD V at “Public-Private Council for the Promotion of TICADV“.

The objective of the ABE Initiative master’s degree and internship program is to support young personnel who have the potential to contribute to the development of industries in Africa. This program offers opportunities for young African men and women to study at master’s courses in Japanese universities as international students (hereafter referred to as participants) and experience internships at Japanese enterprises.

The aim is for them to develop effective skills in order for them to contribute to various fields. Beyond acquisition of skills and knowledge, this program also intends to cultivate excellent personnel who can recognize and understand the contexts of Japanese society and systems of Japanese enterprises. The expected outcome of the program is a network of potential contributors to the development of African industries who will also lead Japanese businesses to engage further in economic activities in Africa.

Target Participants

Target participants are from among the following three types of personnel.

1. Persons from the Private Sector
   Young individuals who are or will be involved in economic activities in the local private sector maintaining and developing strong ties with Japanese companies.
2. Governmental Officials
   Young officials, such as civil servants, who take part in governance and policy-making in order to enhance industries to whose development Japanese companies can contribute, and has a recommendation by a Japanese company.
3. Educators
   Young individuals who are responsible for educating in Higher Education and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) institutions in Africa, in order to enhance capacity building in related industries, and has a recommendation by a Japanese company.

Eligible applicants

1. 1. Citizens of one of the 54 African countries
   2. Between 22 and 39 years old (as of April 1st in the year of you arrival in Japan)
   3. A bachelor’s degree
   4. Applicants from government sectors/ educators who have both of the following:

-At least 6 months working experience at their current organization -Permission from their current organization to apply

1. Have adequate English proficiency, both in written and oral communication (IELTS score of over 5.5 is preferred)
2. Clearly understand the objective of this program and have a strong will to contribute to the industrial development of their country while broadening and strengthening the linkage between their country and Japan
3. Not currently applying or planning to apply to scholarship programs offered by other organizations
4. Have good health condition, both physically and mentally, to complete the program

Benefits:

• JICA will provide the following expenses for participant of the program which is equivalent to similar JICA schemes.
• Tuition at Japanese university master’s degree programs (and research student)
• Allowances for living expenses, outfit, shipping etc.
• A round-trip airfare
• Expenses for support programs during the study in Japan, including the costs of observation tours and internship Other costs should be covered by the participants’ organizations or
  other individuals.

Application Procedure: