Double Feather Partners (DFP) has signed four strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and related agreements with African companies and organizations in conjunction with the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), held in Yokohama from August 20 to 22, 2025.

Strategic MOUs and Related Agreements

• Absa Bank (South Africa / leading African financial institution)
  “Strategic Partnership for Co-creation between Africa and Japan”
• Africa E-Mobility Alliance (Kenya / industry association transforming Africa’s transport landscape)
  “Strategic Partnership for Accelerating Mobility Transition in Africa”
• ANDA (Angola / leading mobility tech startup)
  “Strategic Partnership in the Mobility Sector in Southern Africa”
• Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (Ethiopia / one of Africa’s largest coffee cooperatives)
  “Strategic Partnership for Value Creation and Financial Support in Ethiopian Specialty Coffee”

DFP-Hosted Events

The Voice & Value of Japanese VC in Africa

During TICAD9, DFP hosted and co-hosted six sessions.
On the main stage, we organized a panel discussion featuring Sunny Side Venture Partners, AAIC Japan, Emurgo Kepple Ventures, and Samurai Incubate. The discussion underscored the Inevitability of Africa’s economic growth and investment potential from a macro perspective, the growing number of Japanese companies seeking local strategic partners via VC investments, and the necessity of early market entry to gain an edge in Africa’s growing competition from global players such as China. This was the first time that leading Japanese VCs active in Africa gathered on a single stage. From Africa, we welcomed representatives from the South African Presidency, the African Development Bank (AfDB), Absa Bank, and Seedstars Africa Ventures, who shared case studies of collaboration via Japanese VCs and the importance of public-private partnerships in mitigating investment risks.

AFRICA-JAPAN VENTURES CONNECT

DFP also hosted a panel discussion and networking reception under the theme “Driving Strategic Partnerships Between Japan and Africa.” The event brought together about 100 invited guests.
Panel speakers included Mr. Noda, Director at NEC, who shared firsthand insights from forging strategic partnerships with two South African startups through the DFP-led Project NINJA. In addition, Ms. Natalie (CEO of Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation) and Mr. Lucien (Vice President of Absa Bank), both strategic partners of DFP, joined the panel to share African perspectives and discuss challenges and opportunities for collaboration with Japanese companies.

Dialogue with Minister of Finance Katsunobu Kato

This dialogue was arranged to help Minister Katsunobu Kato gain a deeper understanding of local conditions and challenges in Africa. Kohei shared case studies from our open innovation approach with global corporations, as well as collaboration initiatives with development finance institutions (DFIs) in the mobility/transportation sector—seen as a potential leapfrog area following telecom and mobile payments. He emphasized the critical importance of combining private capital, public policy, and international partnerships to accelerate industrial growth in Africa.

The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) is an international summit focused on Africa’s development. Since 1993, it has been organized by the Government of Japan in collaboration with the United Nations, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Bank, and the African Union Commission (AUC). The 9th edition, TICAD9, took place in Yokohama from August 20 to 22, 2025.