At GRIPS Forum on May 20, 2024, Mr. Koichi Sato, Founder & CEO, SUCRECUBE Japon Inc., gave a lecture titled “Building Sustainable Businesses in Africa through Collaborative Partnerships between Bilateral Governments, Local Authorities, and Japanese Start-ups.”

Abstract:

As a pioneering Japanese startup, SUCRECUBE Japon partnered with the Senegalese government and local authorities to deliver safer healthcare and innovative digital education in areas without electricity or communication. Leveraging these collaborations, we aim to transform our experience into private ventures, creating sustainable, socially impactful businesses from Senegal inspired by Shibusawa Eiichi's principles of ethical economics. In this lecture, we will explain our philosophy and our activities.

Speaker: Mr. Koichi Sato,
              Founder & CEO, SUCRECUBE Japon Inc.

Speakers’ Profile:

Koichi Sato, a visionary international entrepreneur from Yokohama, manages three companies across Japan, France, and Senegal. After being struck by the dire social issues in unelectrified areas of Senegal during a business trip, he founded Japanese and Senegalese subsidiaries in 2018 and 2019. Through his TUMIQUI Vision initiative, he has successfully addressed health and education challenges using solar power and ICT technology. His efforts earned him the Special Prize at the 5th Japan SDGs Awards in 2021 and the title of Honorary Citizen of Sandiara, Senegal, in 2023. Now, he’s steering towards sustainable business solutions originating from Senegal.

What is GRIPS Forum?

Since its establishment in 1997, the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) has promoted research and education on a wide variety of policy issues. The GRIPS Forum invites specialists from national and local governments as well as academic and business communities to promote policy studies and expand policy networks.