Deadline Date: July 31, 2026
The Africa Business Contest – Impact Challenge Award is a City of Kobe initiative supporting business ideas for social impact and sustainable development in Africa.
The focus areas, of this programme include promoting inclusive growth, supporting sustainable development in Africa, fostering co-creation between Japanese and African companies, and enabling business solutions that address social and economic challenges across African markets. It also emphasizes economic exchange, innovation, and cross-border partnerships.
The contest is designed to identify and support business ideas and ventures that contribute to solving social issues in Africa and encourage long-term sustainable development. It also aims to create opportunities for collaboration and commercialization between Japanese and African enterprises.
The theme of the contest is “Business Solutions for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa,” which highlights the importance of equitable economic growth and long-term environmentally and socially responsible development.
Finalists selected for the competition receive support such as advisory services to improve and refine pitch materials, opportunities for business matching with Japanese companies, and access to market research and advisory support for African market expansion. Selected student participants may also receive access to coworking spaces to support their entrepreneurial activities.
The contest offers monetary awards including a Grand Prize of JPY 1,000,000 and an Excellence Award of JPY 500,000 for the business category, along with an Excellence Award of JPY 200,000 for student category winners.
Eligibility is open to companies, startups, and students of any nationality, including businesses already operating in Africa and those planning expansion into African markets, as well as students enrolled in higher education institutions in Japan or Africa under specified residency and enrolment conditions.
For more information, visit Afrika meets Kansai.
