African Business Education (ABE) Initiative 2026 for Youth & SDGs Global Leader (Fully Funded to Japan)

by OFA September 17, 2025

written by OFA September 17, 2025 0 comments

Application Deadline: Varying by Country

Applications are now open for the 2025 ABE Initiative Master’s Degree and Internship Program. At the 5th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V), held in Yokohama in 2013, then Prime Minister Abe Shinzo announced the “African Business Education Initiative for Youth” (hereafter referred to as the “ABE Initiative”). This is a strategic five-year plan providing 1,000 youths in Africa with opportunities to study at Japanese universities as well as to do internships at Japanese enterprises. ABE Initiative builds on the concept that there is a need for human resource development in both private and public sectors of Africa through cultivating a strong human network between Japan and Africa.

At the TICAD 7 held in Yokohama in 2019, the initiative was renewed as “ABE initiative 3.0” which would provide opportunities for 3,000 youths in Africa to study and intern in Japan over the next 6 years. Since 2014, more than 1,400 participants from all the 54 countries have ever joined the program, and over 1,200 participants have completed. This has resulted in establishing a wide range of human resource network of ABE Initiative participants. Furthermore, many Japanese companies and ABE Initiative participants have collaborated in various ways to promote the development of private sectors in Africa.

Objectives:

to support young generation willing to contribute to the development of industries in Africa.
to foster persons that bridge between Africa and Japan through deep understanding of Japanese society and Japanese business culture

African Business Education Initiative (ABE Initiative):

Open to both public and private sector applicants.
Provides opportunities for Master’s degree studies and internships in Japan.

SDGs Global Leadership Program:

Open to government officials only.
Provides opportunities for Master’s and Doctoral studies.
Targets young and middle-level officials keen to contribute to policy formulation and implementation in tackling sustainable development issues.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must be under 40 years of age as of 1st April 2026.
Hold a bachelor’s degree with relevant working experience.
Required documents include: Application Form, Career Plan after Graduation, Research Plan, and Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, etc., where required by the host university).

Program Duration:
2–3 years from September 2026, depending on the chosen graduate course and internship period.

Countries