Embedding entrepreneurship and innovation in education essential, says Future Africa research chair

On 23 August 2025, the University of Pretoria (UP), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the University of Tokyo co-hosted the symposium “From Campus to Community: University Collaboration between Africa and Japan for Real-World Change” as an official side event of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). The event gathered leaders from academia, development institutions, and the private sector to explore how universities can move beyond traditional roles to address pressing social challenges.

Youth entrepreneurship in focus

Professor Frans Swanepoel, Future Africa Research Chair in Sustainable Food Systems at UP, contributed to the session on youth entrepreneurship and innovation. He highlighted Africa’s demographic reality, with 60% of its population under 25, and stressed that universities must embed entrepreneurship and innovation in education, promote experiential learning, and support startups through incubators and accelerators.

UP’s broader role

UP was further represented by Professor Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at UP, whoo delivered remarks on behalf of Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal. Her message emphasised the importance of Africa–Asia collaboration and the role of universities in driving inclusive development in partnership with governments, industry, and society.

Strengthening Collaboration

The symposium concluded with a call for deeper collaboration among African and Japanese universities, including joint research, student and faculty exchanges, and policy-focused training initiatives. It reaffirmed that universities are not only centres of learning but also active partners in innovation, entrepreneurship, and policy leadership.

Read the full report published on the University of Tokyo website