JICA Project NINJA Success Story: Kabba Transport's Journey Through Africa's Top Accelerator

Being selected for JICA's Project NINJA Acceleration Programme was a transformative experience for me and Kabba Transport. This prestigious program, run by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, supports African entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and networking.

What is Project NINJA?

NINJA stands for "Next Innovation with Japan." It's an accelerator program designed to:

• Identify high-potential African startups
• Provide intensive training
• Offer mentorship from Japanese experts
• Facilitate peer learning
• Prepare companies for global scaling

Our Selection

In 2024, I was selected for the program's second cohort. This was an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the best minds in entrepreneurship and connect with fellow innovators across Africa.

The Experience

Over three months, the program provided:

Intensive Training

• Business strategy development
• Financial planning
• Pitch preparation
• Leadership skills

Personalized Mentorship

• One-on-one guidance from experienced mentors
• Japanese business philosophy
• Growth strategies

Peer Learning

• Connected with Ethiopian entrepreneurs
• Shared challenges and solutions
• Built lasting relationships

Pitch Preparation

• Refined our investor pitch
• Presentation skills
• Storytelling for impact

What We Learned

The program reinforced key lessons:

"It was a transformative experience that not only elevated our business but also strengthened our leadership as founders."

• Patience — Building lasting solutions takes time
• Purpose — Stay focused on your core mission
• People — Invest in your team and relationships
• Scale — Think beyond local markets

Goals Set

During the program, we established ambitious goals:

• Increase app users from 1,000 to 30,000 by 2030
• Achieve 100% EV fleet
• Expand across Ethiopia
• Create 10,000 jobs

Grateful for the Opportunity

We're honored to have been featured in JICA's TICAD9 Special Website as a success story. This recognition validates our approach and motivates us to keep pushing forward.

The Road Ahead

The NINJA experience gave us tools to scale. We're now implementing those learnings as we grow from 400,000 trips to millions.

Thank you, JICA, for believing in African entrepreneurs!