UNIDO ITPO Tokyo organized a field trip to Kenya for 10 selected students from the University of Tokyo as part of the UNIDO x U Tokyo Africa Youth Social Entrepreneurship Programme (AYSEP) for TICAD. The field trip took place over one week, starting on March 16, 2025.

UNIDO ITPO Tokyo has been implementing the “UNIDO x U-Tokyo Africa Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (AYSEP) for TICAD” in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, with which we have a partnership agreement, in preparation for TICAD 9, to be held in Yokohama this August. The programme aims to offer Japanese youth the opportunity to explore business opportunities and social issues in Africa while developing needs-based business plans. Ultimately, the students will present their business plans at TICAD 9 events.

Ten students from the University of Tokyo, ranging from undergraduate to doctoral levels, participated in the field trip to develop their own business plans. AXCEL AFRICA CONSULTING LIMITED arranged multiple visits, including those to local companies and project sites, providing the students with valuable insights into business opportunities and social issues in Kenya. They deepened their understanding through interviews with local businesses and conversations with actual users.

During their stay in Kenya, the students had the opportunity to give presentations to Kenyan students at the Incubation Centre in Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. It was a valuable opportunity to exchange views and opinions with young people of the same age and similar interests.

After the field trip, the students will continue refining their business plans. Furthermore, at TICAD 9, they will engage with young people coming from Africa, exploring the possibility of co-creating businesses that address social issues in Africa from Japan.