Date:   Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Time:   3:30PM–7:20PM (Doors open at 3:00PM)
Venue:  Sakura Deeptech Shibuya

Registration & Participation Fee:

• Registration — General Admission: ¥5,000(incl. tax)
• Registration — Yano Databank (YDB) Members: ¥2,500(incl. tax)

 (You will jump to the registration page in Japanese.)
For inquiries in English, please click here.
Registration Deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026, by 5:00PM JST
Limited to 100 participants. Registration will close once capacity is reached.

[Seminar Overview]

✅ Africa, the Next Growth Frontier: Rapid Population Growth and Expanding Markets

✅ Accelerating IPOs and M&A Activity: Global Capital and Multinational Corporations Entering the Market

While access to on-the-ground information about Africa remains limited, this seminar will feature firsthand perspectives from companies that are actively investing, expanding, and forming partnerships in the region.

It will offer practical guidance to help you identify and envision your next business opportunities in the African market.

 

[Program Details]

Session 1 (3:30PM–3:50PM):  Latest Trends in the African Market

 

 

Takuma Terakubo, CEO & General Partner, Uncovered Fund, Inc.

 

Session 2 (3:50PM–5:10PM):  Japanese Companies and Africa – Opportunities for Collaboration

 

Takeshi Isaku, Chief Innovation Officer, Executive Officer, Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.

In addition to developing next-generation mobility products and businesses, the company actively promotes open innovation across a wide range of fields, including advanced AI-driven industrial solutions, energy solutions, and ESG-focused initiatives. As part of these efforts, it is working to build a small EV ecosystem in Africa.

 

 

Takuya Sakamoto, CEO, MOL PLUS Co., Ltd.

With the mission of “adding new value to the shipping industry and society,” MOL PLUS was established in 2021 as the only corporate venture capital arm in Japan’s shipping industry. A subsidiary of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, it invests in startups both in Japan and abroad that have the potential to transform the shipping business model and create new businesses over the medium to long term. It also supports social implementation through business collaboration.

 

 

Kodai Yoshikawa, Healthcare & Medical Business Dept., Marubeni Corporation

Marubeni operates globally across a wide range of sectors including lifestyle, food & agriculture, metals, energy & chemicals, power & infrastructure, finance, real estate, aerospace & mobility, information solutions, next-generation business development, next-generation corporate development, and other related areas. Its activities include import/export, domestic trade, and business investment through its global network.

 

 

Tetsuro Sato, Divisional Manager, Overseas Sales Division, Sales & Marketing Management Division, YANMAR AGRIBUSINESS CO., LTD.

Founded in Osaka in 1912, Yanmar is an industrial machinery manufacturer that developed the world’s first practical small diesel engine in 1933. With a focus on powertrains such as engines, the company operates globally in agriculture, construction machinery, marine, and energy systems. Guided by its core value “HANASAKA” (a concept meaning “to make people and the future blossom”), Yanmar is committed to creating a better future under its brand statement “A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.”

 

 

Takeshi Hasegawa
Head of Africa Business Promotion Center
Energy & Sustainability Business Headquarters, Yokogawa Electric Corporation

Since its founding in 1915, Yokogawa has contributed to solving industrial and societal challenges through measurement, control, and information technologies. In Africa, the company supports local communities through job creation and internship-based human resource development. It also aims to build a sustainable future through initiatives in green hydrogen and strategic mineral sectors.

 

Session 3 (5:25PM–6:10PM):  Challenges from the Field – Entrepreneurs Transforming Africa

 

Samir Ibrahim, CEO, SunCulture (Kenya)
AgriTech – Provides solar-powered irrigation systems for smallholder farmers.

 

 

Joseph Hurst-Croft, CEO, ARC Ride (Kenya)
EV Mobility – Offers electric motorcycles and battery swap infrastructure for sustainable urban transport.

 

 

Mohamed Ezzat, Co-Founder & CEO, Bosta (Egypt)
Logistics – Provides last-mile delivery services, including same-day delivery, for e-commerce businesses.

 

Session 4 (6:10PM–6:20PM):  Closing – Strategic Outlook for Japan and Africa
 

 

Takuma Terakubo, CEO & General Partner, Uncovered Fund, Inc.

 

 

Shin Onodera, General Manager, Global Business Group, Yano Research Institute Ltd.

 

Session 5 (6:20PM–7:20PM):  Networking Session

 

[Seminar Information]

Title:  The Future of Africa’s Emerging Markets and Japanese Business
Date & Time:  Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 3:30PM–7:20PM (Doors open at 3:00PM)
Venue:  Sakura Deeptech Shibuya

Central Building 12F (Entrance on 3F)
1-2 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0031
https://www.sakuradeeptechshibuya.com/

Venue Access (Map & Directions): Scan the QR code

Venue support provided by Tokyu Land Corporation

Registration & Participation Fee:

• Registration — General Admission: ¥5,000(incl. tax)
• Registration — Yano Databank (YDB) Members: ¥2,500(incl. tax)

 (You will jump to the registration page in Japanese.)
For inquiries in English, please click here.
Registration Deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026, by 5:00PM JST
Limited to 100 participants. Registration will close once capacity is reached.

Payment:

・After your registration, we will send an invoice by postal mail.
・Please transfer the participation fee by the day before the event or within one week of receiving the invoice.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations and refunds are not accepted after payment. However, substitute participants are welcome.

Uncovered Fund, Inc.

CEO & General Partner: Takuma Terakubo
Location:  2-7-13 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Uncovered Fund is Japan’s first venture capital firm specializing in Global South markets such as Africa and India. Its core business includes investing in problem-solving startups in emerging economies and supporting co-creation initiatives with Japanese companies.
Since its founding in 2019, the firm has invested in a total of 34 companies, primarily in high-growth sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, and climate tech. In addition to capital investment, Uncovered Fund has actively facilitated business collaboration between Japanese enterprises and startups in emerging markets, particularly in Africa.
https://uncoveredfund.com/

Monex Ventures, Inc.

President & CEO: Atsushi Mandai
Location: 25F Ark Mori Building, 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Monex Ventures is the venture capital arm of the Monex Group, investing in seed to early-stage startups. The firm currently manages four funds, covering both domestic and international markets.
In 2024, Monex Ventures jointly launched a new Africa-focused fund with Uncovered Fund, Inc., with a total target size of approximately 3 billion yen. The firm is also committed to creating collaboration opportunities between Japanese companies and startups in Africa’s growth sectors.
https://www.monexventures.com/

Yano Research Institute Ltd.

President: Takashi Mizukoshi
Location: 2-46-2 Honcho, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-8620

Founded in 1958, Yano Research Institute is an independent, comprehensive marketing research and consulting firm that supports clients across a wide range of industries. In 2018, it became part of the Kyodo News Group.
The firm publishes over 250 market reports annually across all major industries and undertakes more than 600 commissioned research and consulting projects each year. Leveraging its advanced research capabilities, extensive marketing data, and innovative business development expertise, Yano Research supports the growth and success of its clients in Japan and abroad.
https://www.yano.co.jp/

Inquiries:

For inquiries in English, please click here.
Yano Research Institute Ltd.