#Japan #Tokyo #JACCI #Yoren #Africa Cooperation

Yoren's New Initiative for African Partnership

Yoren, based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has recently announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) of Japan for an initiative focusing on fostering collaboration and co-creation between Japanese companies and startups in Africa. This project is part of the
Japan Africa Co-Creation Initiative (JACCI), which aims to strengthen business partnerships and address social issues by leveraging technology and talent development.

Background of the Initiative

In recent years, Africa has witnessed rapid growth in its startup ecosystem, fueled by the increasing penetration of smartphones and a growing youth population. Many local startups have effectively utilized digital technologies to tap into and develop consumer markets, especially those in lower- to middle-income sectors. Given this backdrop, Japanese companies are exploring opportunities to enter the African market by partnering with local startups and venture capital firms familiar with local demands.

In 2022, METI launched JACCI, establishing a framework to support Japanese businesses looking to expand into Africa. Yoren has been actively involved as the secretariat of JACCI and will continue to lead the initiative this fiscal year.

Although there have been previous collaborations between Japanese enterprises and African startups, challenges like difficulty in individual matching and scaling business operations remain. This project aims to streamline collaboration by organizing the necessary conditions and environments that can help leverage the strengths of both Japanese companies and local startups to foster effective partnerships.

Focus Areas for the Fiscal Year

Building upon the validation from last year, Yoren will focus on three primary areas in this fiscal year to identify meaningful business opportunities for both Japan and Africa and validate their commercialization potential (Proof of Concept):

1. Mobility

Yoren plans to collaborate with Japanese companies that have successfully established themselves in Africa. By refining business models within an industry-focused framework, the aim is to enhance the implementation and verification of mobility solutions in the region.

2. Healthcare

This area is a new focus for JACCI. The team will analyze instances of Japanese companies entering the healthcare market and the investment scope of Japanese venture capitalists to construct opportunities for collaboration in this sector.

3. AI and Digital Talent

Leveraging the foundational work done last year in developing a supply framework for AI talent, Yoren will work towards creating an ecosystem that enables the flow of skilled labor back to both the African industry and Japanese enterprises through digital capabilities.

Recruitment for JACCI Secretariat Members

Yoren intends to facilitate partnership support by collaborating with international bodies like UNDP and JETRO. The secretariat will spearhead various research and hypothesis verification initiatives in diverse business sectors throughout Africa. This collaborative framework is intended to create synergies between the strengths of Japanese firms and local industry players, including startups.

Consequently, Yoren is now inviting interested parties who share the vision of JACCI to participate as members. The fourth round of recruitment is currently open until June 30, 2026, at 23:59. Eligible entities that wish to join must meet three criteria, such as expressing interest in various African business sectors and being capable of enhancing local industry ecosystems.

For applicants, please prepare a summary of your proposed business plans (about 1-3 A4 pages in PPT or Word format) and send it via email. Following your application, the secretariat will review submissions and inform participants of their outcomes.

Participating members will receive information about various JACCI-related events and activities through email updates. Note that participation does not incur any rights or obligations.

Upcoming Activities: Webinar Series

Yoren will also host webinars to discuss the evolution of Japan's presence in Africa, focusing on trends in anime, manga, and film. The next session titled “Cool Japan in Africa” is scheduled for May 26, 2026, from 17:00 to 18:00 JST.

About JACCI

Established in collaboration with METI, JACCI seeks to connect Japanese businesses with African companies, aiming to foster co-creation and scale-up business ventures. For more details on the philosophy and activities of JACCI, please visit our website.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this initiative, please contact the JACCI Secretariat at [email protected], or reach out to our representatives, Sano or Sakemaki.

About Yoren

Yoren is a consulting firm specializing in strategy development and supports consumer-oriented market entry through various operational aspects, including CRM, digital marketing, and event management. With plans to establish a business base in New Cairo, Egypt, by August 2025, Yoren is well-equipped to assist Japanese companies looking to enter the African market.

Company name: Yoren Co., Ltd. | CEO: Sho Kaneda | Headquarters: PREX South, 10F, 2-5-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo | China Office: 20F, Honghui International Plaza, 1600 Zhongshan West Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai | Employees: 212 (as of December 2025)