Japan pledges support for Ethiopia’s innovation and startup ecosystem
Date: 2026-03-18
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Japan has reaffirmed its
commitment to strengthening Ethiopia’s innovation and startup sector during a
working dialogue between Ethiopia’s Ministry of Innovation and Technology and
the Chief Representative of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
(METI) to Africa, Hashimoto Yasuhiro.
Minister of Innovation and
Technology Dr. Baisa Beda outlined Ethiopia’s ongoing initiatives in the
innovation and startup ecosystem, including three-year joint projects with
Japan under the “NINJA” program and related initiatives. He also invited Japanese
venture capital firms to invest in Ethiopia through Ethiopian Investment
Holdings, leveraging opportunities created by the newly approved Startup
Proclamation.
Hashimoto Yasuhiro praised the collaboration between the two countries and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in health, artificial intelligence, and mobility.
Minister of Innovation and Technology Dr. Baisa Beda
He noted plans to work with
companies such as Sumitomo and Safaricom to support innovation in the
entertainment industry and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to partnering with
African stakeholders to address social and economic challenges through
innovation.
