Reiwa 5 Supplementary Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation

Yo-ren Japan, based in Minato ward of Tokyo and led by CEO Osamu Kaneda is honored to announce that its proposed "Master Plan Development and Research Project for Promoting Partnerships Between African Startups and Japanese Companies" has been selected as a subcontractor for the "Reiwa 5 Fiscal Year Supplementary Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project (Africa)" promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). 

This significant project is set to run until the end of February 2026.

For details about the results of the second round of open selection for subcontractors to implement the research project for the master plan development and under the FY2023 (Reiwa 5) supplementary budget for future-oriented co-creation projects with the Global South and other related initiatives:

🔗 https://www.meti.go.jp/information/publicoffer/saitaku/2025/s250331003.html

Furthermore, through this project, Yoren will serve as the secretariat for the Japan-Africa Co-Creation for Industry (JACCI) proposed by METI. JACCI was announced during the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum on December 2024 as follows:

Currently, the first round of member recruitment for JACCI is underway (Deadline: May 2, 2025, 23:59).

* The schedule for the second round recruitment is undetermined and will be announced once finalized. 

In Africa, the rise of startups has been driving the provision of new public services and business infrastructure. However, in recent years, due to factors such as sluggish funding, challenges in scaling, and insufficient collaboration with existing industries, the sector is hitting a growth plateau.

On the other hand, in fields such as transportation, logistics, and entertainment, startups continue to play a significant role in tackling structural challenges in local societies.

In response to these circumstances, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has launched the JACCI initiative, which aims to establish a new framework aimed at consolidating African startups and established businesses, encouraging them to collaborate with one another, thus enhancing the entire industrial value chain. Yo-ren Japan’s involvement signifies a commitment to making this initiative successful.

Historically, partnerships between Japanese enterprises and African startups have fallen short of significant success. Previous attempts primarily centered around one-on-one matching, which often presented complications and dampened scalability. 

This is precisely why this initiative aims to create a collaboration that go beyond standalone solution partnerships, but offer presentation of talents, companies and functions and provide a “ready-to-use team” to create impact as an “integrated whole” by unifying multiple local companies, including startups.

Through this, we aim to develop a business co-creation model that is synchronized with local industrial policies and market structures and continuously contributing to mutual benefits for both Japan and Africa.

The core philosophy behind JACCI is to establish a cohesive framework for Japanese businesses eager to expand into Africa, bringing together entrepreneurs, talent, and established companies across various sectors. 

✔️ Rather than conventional one-to-one matching system, JACCI aspires to develop a comprehensive "function packaged cluster" structured by industry.

✔️   “Ready-to-deploy teams and resources.“ will be pre-assembled for each industry such as mobility, manufacturing, and entertainment. 

✔️   Collaboration with JETRO is planned, along with announcements at TICAD9 in this August. 

Yo-ren Japan will spearhead various hypothesis validations and research endeavors in multiple business domains throughout Africa. By aggregating key industry players, including startups, the aim is to foster complementary synergies and co-creative relationships with Japanese companies’ strengths.

Along with the promotion of this initiative, we are now opening recruitment for members who resonate with this philosophy to join the JACCI Secretariat.

Japanese companies with interest in diverse business sectors (e.g., PE/VC, corporate ventures, LPs, enterprises) in Africa that meet three criteria are welcomed:

1. Alignment with JACCI's philosophy of cohesive framework.

2. Capability in packaging African local industry ecosystems (including startups).

3. Ability to collaborate on developing business models and creating ventures with Japanese firms. 

* For applicants, a business proposal should be articulated over 1-3 A4 pages in various formats such as PowerPoint, Word or PDF, detailing anticipated business opportunities. (After submission, instructions will be provided on the confirmation screen and via email.)

* Regarding the business proposals submitted by each company, the secretariat will review them and then notify you of the selection results.

✔️ JACCI will send information about related events and activity reports via email (on an irregular basis)

✔️ Please note that participation does not incur any rights or obligations

Please use the form here to apply：

**Apply here**: 

[Click to apply]👇

https://forms.gle/KQTJupJdKGQcpTmZ7

A separate explanatory session will be held regarding JACCI's initiatives and the proposal call for framework building (scheduled for mid-to-late May; details will be emailed to JACCI secretariat members)

For proposals that pass the screening process, we anticipate providing partial support such as travel expenses for Japanese and local African companies needed to form the collaboration frameworks

Participation in side events at the Africa CEO Forum (Abidjan, May 12-13, 2025), including on-site attendance.

Implementation of side events at TICAD 9 (August 20-22, 2025).  

* This event is planned to be implemented in both Japan and Africa, with potential collaboration with JETRO and other organizations.

For any questions regarding this initiative, please contact the secretariat below.

Again, for those who wish to participate, please apply through this form.

**Apply here**: 

[Click to apply]👇

https://forms.gle/KQTJupJdKGQcpTmZ7

For inquiries or wishes to participate, please reach out to the JACCI secretariat via email at jacci_office@yo-ren.com. The contact team are Mr. Sakamaki, Ms. Chen and Ms. Li.

Yo-ren Japan is sincerely looking forward to your involvement in this exciting venture aimed at co-creating value between Japanese firms and African startups and new industry platform！

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