Background
In the face of complex and interdependent global challenges, the need for inclusive and pragmatic approaches to sustainable development has become ever more pressing. Across Africa, urgent social issues—from inadequate access to education and basic infrastructure, to the consequences of rapid urbanization and climate vulnerability—require not only strategic public-sector planning but also the efficient implementation capacity and innovation of the private sector.
While governments are responsible for setting the grand design for addressing social challenges, the private sector is often best positioned to deliver scalable and cost-effective solutions.
The ideal model is one in which public and private actors in both Africa and Japan collaborate to create solutions. Yet, significant geographic, institutional, and informational distances remain. Japanese companies, though increasingly aware of the growing importance of African markets, often lack a clear understanding of what specific social problems exist, what business models might effectively address them, what barriers to implementation may arise, and how those barriers can be overcome. Conversely, African institutions may face difficulties in identifying, engaging, or aligning with appropriate foreign partners to implement context-sensitive solutions.
Universities, with their capacity for interdisciplinary knowledge production, local and global networks, and role as neutral conveners, are uniquely positioned to bridge these gaps. Through collaborative partnerships, African and Japanese universities can work together to bring public and private stakeholders into dialogue, co-produce policy-relevant knowledge, and foster ecosystems for innovation that address real-world challenges.
This event explores how university-based collaboration between Africa and Asia can catalyze public-private cooperation in solving social issues. It aims to identify actionable strategies to narrow the distance between distant stakeholders, enhance mutual understanding, and accelerate inclusive development through knowledge-driven partnerships.
Date & Time
Saturday, August 23, 2025
9:00 – 12:00 (JST)
Venue
Lecture room 3, 1st Floor, International Research Building (ACCESS)
Language
English (No simultaneous interpretation available)
Registration
Required by 7:00am, August 23, 2025
Registration Form
Admission fee
Not required
Hosting organization
The University of Tokyo
Co-hosting organizations
African Development Bank
University of Pretoria
Tentative program:
Seminar MC: Prof. Yasutora Watanabe (GraSPP, The University of Tokyo)
9:00-09:05 Opening remarks by Prof. Daiji Kawaguchi (Dean, GraSPP, The University of Tokyo)
9:05-10:00 Session 1: Envisioning University Collaboration between Africa and Japan for Real-World Change
| Moderator | Prof. Aya Suzuki (Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo) | |
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Keynote 1 |
*Changed to Ms. Nnenna Lily Nwabufo (Vice President, African Development Bank) |
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Keynote 2 |
Dr. Teruo Fujii (President, The University of Tokyo) |
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Keynote 3 |
*Due to his absence, his paper will be read by Prof. Margaret Chigita-Mabugu (Dean, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Pretoria) |
| Q&A |
10:15-11:15 Session 2: Fostering youth entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa through Africa-Asia Partnership
| Moderator |
Prof. Keiko Takei (Chief Education Analyst, Human Development Department, African Development Bank / Visiting Associate Professor, GraSPP, The University of Tokyo) |
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Presentation 1 | Prof. Frans Swanepoel (University of Pretoria) on University role for A-A Platform project |
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Presentation 2 | Ms. Hendrina Doroba (African Development Bank (AfDB)) on AfDB’s programs to promote youth entrepreneurship and Innovation |
| Panel discussion: |
Mr. Shohei Naito (CEO, Nihon Agri, Inc.) |
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Ms. Mary Asantewaa (JADS Scholar Alumni) |
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Mr. Tall Serigne Makhtar (Daikin Industries, LTD.) |
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| Reflection from |
Mr. Takaaki Nomoto (Director, Multilateral Development Banks Division, Ministry of Finance, Government of Japan) |
Break
11:25-11:55 Session 3: Collaboration of public policy schools to promote public-private partnership
| Moderator |
Prof. Daiji Kawaguchi (Dean, GraSPP, The University of Tokyo) |
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Presentation 1 |
Prof. Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu (Dean, Economic and Management Sciences, University of Pretoria) |
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Presentation 2 | |
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Presentation 3 | Prof. Themba Maseko (Head, Wits School of Governance, the University of the Witwatersrand) |
11:55-12:00 Closing remarks by Mr. Kentaro Ogata (Director General of the International Bureau, Ministry of Finance, Government of Japan)
Speakers’ BIO
Ms. Nnenna Lily NWABUFO
Ms. Nnenna Lily NWABUFO is currently the African Development Bank’s Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery. Before her appointment to this role on 4th October 2024, she was the Bank’s Director General, East Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office and doubled up as the Country Director for the Bank’s Country Office in Kenya, where she was responsible for leading and advancing the Bank Group’s strategic objective of achieving significant and transformational developmental impact in thirteen countries in East Africa by ensuring operational efficiency, effectiveness and an overall healthy portfolio in the region
A Nigerian citizen, Nnenna is a versatile and seasoned executive with over 35 years’ professional experience in treasury and financial management, budget programming, planning and performance management, human resource and corporate services management, and country/regional operations. She joined the AfDB’s Treasury Department in 1991 where she worked at different professional levels for over a decade. Subsequently, she took on progressive management level responsibilities including, Acting Vice President for Corporate Services from May 2015 to May 2016, Deputy Director General, East Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office in January 2017 and the Acting Director General for the region effective 1st October 2019 until her confirmation in January 2021.
Prior to joining the African Development Bank in August 1991, Nnenna worked as a Treasury Management Expert at the Chase Merchant Bank and Kapital Merchant Bank in Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Lagos, Nigeria and a Master of Business Administration from Henley Management College, Henley on Thames, United Kingdom.
Dr. Teruo FUJII (President, The University of Tokyo)
Dr. Teruo Fujii is the 31st President of the University of Tokyo (UTokyo). Prior to taking the President’s office in April 2021, he was Executive Vice President in charge of finance and external relations for the university. He also served as the Director General of the Institute of Industrial Sciences (IIS) of the university from 2015 to 2018. He received his Ph.D. in engineering from UTokyo in 1993 and held research positions at IIS and RIKEN prior to becoming a professor of IIS in 2007. Dr. Fujii was an advisor to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) from 2005 to 2007, co-director of LIMMS-CNRS/IIS, a joint research laboratory between CNRS of France, and IIS, from 2007 to 2014, and the President of the Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society (CBMS) from 2017 to 2019. From March 2021 to February 2024, he held the position of an Executive Member (part-time) of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. Dr. Fujii’s research specializes in applied microfluidics systems and underwater technology.
Dr. Francis Petersen (Vice Chancellor & Principal, University of Pretoria)
Prof Francis W Petersen is a visionary leader in the South African higher education sector and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria. He has previously held esteemed positions as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Cape Town. Prof Petersen holds a PhD in Engineering from Stellenbosch University. His international speaking engagements include prominent conferences worldwide, contributing to the global discourse on higher education and research. Currently, he is the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Universities South Africa (USAf).
Prof. Frans Swanepoel (University of Pretoria)
Ms. Hendrina Chalwe Doroba (African Development Bank)
Ms. Doroba Hendrina Chalwe is the Manager of the Education and Skills Development Division at the African Development Bank, based in the East Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office (RDGE) in Nairobi, Kenya. She oversees the implementation of education, health, jobs and youth projects within the region. Ms. Doroba is a development practitioner, educationalist, mathematician, gender expert, and Leadership coach with over 35 years of work experience in the development sector.
A teacher by profession, her passion remains towards empowering the youth, improving education and skills development opportunities and professional coaching. Promoting and strengthening linkages between tertiary Education and Human Capital and skills needs in local African industries. Ms. Doroba is an alumnus of the National University of Ireland, Dublin, the University of Melbourne, Australia, and Nkrumah Teachers’ Training College in Kabwe, Zambia: a Synergos Senior Fellow, Global Women Leadership Network (GWLN) member, and Brave Thinking Institute 2024 East Africa Women of Excellence “Education Advocate” runners up.
Mr. Shohei Naito (CEO, Nihon Agri, Inc.)
Developed a passion for Japan’s rural landscape while cycling across the country during high school. Studied economics at Keio University, including a year abroad at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, focusing on agricultural management. Gained hands-on experience through internships at farms in Brazil, Kagoshima, and other regions.
Joined McKinsey & Company upon graduation, working on projects related to the agriculture sector. Founded Nihon Agri, Inc. in 2016 to transform Japan’s agricultural industry through global markets and supply chain innovation.
Ms. Mary Asantewaa (JADS Scholar Alumni)
Mary Yeboah Asantewaa is the Head of African Business at SORA Technology, a dynamic professional with a strong background in public health management and business development. She is passionate about leveraging innovative solutions to drive impact in global health and disease control. Mary has worked extensively with stakeholders across the public and private sectors to promote the integration of AI, drones, and data-driven approaches into health interventions. She is committed to fostering collaborations that enhance efficiency, equity, and sustainability in public health initiatives, with a particular focus on data-driven malaria control and infectious disease prevention. Mary is an alumna of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan, where she earned her MSc in Public Health Management with a scholarship from the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) program, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Mr. Tall Serigne Makhtar (Daikin Industries, LTD.)
Mr. TALL is a Sales Planner in the Global Operation Division at Daikin Industries Ltd., where he focuses on business development efforts across African markets. He has experience in collaborating closely with Japanese organizations engaged in Africa-related initiatives, supporting strategic partnerships and expanding regional footprints. Prior to joining Daikin, he cultivated a strong academic background in international development and trade policies. He holds a master’s degree in international Agribusiness Management from Tokyo University of Agriculture, awarded through the JICA Abe Initiative Scholarship (3rd Batch), and a master’s degree in policy and international Trade Negotiation from Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar. With a unique cross-continental perspective, Mr. TALL is committed to advancing sustainable, Africa-centered growth strategies through private-sector engagement and institutional cooperation.
Prof. Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu (Dean, Economic and Management Sciences, University of Pretoria)
Prof. Naomi Aoki (GraSPP, The University of Tokyo)
Prof. Themba Maseko (Head, Wits School of Governance, the University of the Witwatersrand)
Contact for inquiries
GraSPP Public Policy Seminar Secretariat
Email: graspp_eventinfo*pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp (Please replace * with @.)