Collaboration with OSTI Highlighted by TOPPAN Digital
The “Africa Month in Kobe – Africa Business Forum 2025,” co-hosted by the City of Kobe and AFRIKA meets KANSAI 2025, was successfully held on August 26th, 2025.The event featured a business idea contest under the theme of solving social challenges in Africa, where 14 finalists—selected from over 230 global entries—pitched innovative business solutions. Alongside the pitches, leading experts and corporations shared insights and case studies, deepening the audience’s understanding of Africa’s growing business potential.
The forum offered rich content focused on African business, with multiple sessions involving the AAIC Group.
Rology Receives Double Award in Pitch Contest
Each of the 14 finalists presented their ideas in a time-limited pitch session, with participants joining both in-person and online from diverse backgrounds.
AAIC Investment Pte. Ltd.’s portfolio company, Rology—represented by Chief Business Officer and Co-Founder Moaaz Hossam—received two awards: the Excellence Award (City of Kobe Award) and the Sysmex Award.
●Excellence Award (Presented by City of Kobe)
Judges’ Comments:
“Rology proposed an effective solution to address the issue of limited access to healthcare in Africa, and the business feasibility was highly evaluated. The company was selected for the Excellence Award due to its strong social impact and execution capability.”
Presented by Kizo Hisamoto, Mayor of Kobe (photo left)
●Sysmex Award (Presented by Sysmex Corporation)
Judges’ Comments:
“Through its AI-powered remote radiology diagnostic platform, Rology is tackling the challenges of healthcare access in Africa by improving diagnostic speed and accuracy. At Sysmex, we are committed to solving global healthcare challenges, including in Africa, with a focus on diagnostics such as blood and urine tests. Rology’s innovative technology aligns with our mission—‘Shaping the Advancement of Healthcare’—making them a truly deserving recipient of this award.”
Presented by Shinjiro Akamatsu of Sysmex Corporation (photo left)
●Comments from the Awardees
Moaaz Hossam (Chief Business Officer / Co-Founder, Rology)
“I am deeply honored to receive these two awards. It is incredibly encouraging for our entire team to see our mission and business model recognized here in Kobe. We look forward to deepening collaborations with Japanese companies following this event.”
Shigeru Handa (Outside Director of Rology / Director at AAIC)
“Since investing in Rology in 2020, we have supported its growth as an outside director. Rology addresses the shortage of radiologists by enhancing efficiency through AI screening. Its remote reading platform is FDA-approved and has expanded beyond Egypt into Kenya and other markets. The company is also collaborating with the University of Hyogo through an MOU on AI development. We’re excited about Rology’s continued growth.”
TOPPAN Digital Presents Business Development in Africa in Collaboration with OSTI
During the corporate showcase segment on Japanese business expansion into Africa, three companies shared their cases. Among them was Mr. Nobuhiro Iizuka, Executive Officer and Head of Business Development Center and Africa Business Development Office at TOPPAN Digital Inc.
Mr. Iizuka introduced the background of launching the Africa Business Development Office within TOPPAN Digital and outlined current initiatives. He highlighted how AAIC influenced their entry into Africa, and introduced ongoing collaboration with OSTI, an AAIC Group company, in Rwanda and Tanzania.
Note:
*TOPPAN Digital is actively collaborating with OSTI, a company under the AAIC Group, on the Africa Smart Village Project.
Opening Ceremony Held for New 1,760-Hectare Farm in Tanzania (in Japanese)
*Additionally, TOPPAN Holdings is an investor in AAIC Investment’s Africa Healthcare Fund II (AHF2).
The Africa Fund (AHF2), managed by AAIC Investment, has received new participation from financial institutions and listed companies. The total size of AHF1 and 2 is US$87 million (approximately 13 billion yen)
(Photo: Mr. Iizuka of TOPPAN Digital presenting)
A Unique Venue Overlooking Kobe’s Harbor, FELISSIMO
The event was held at Stage Felissimo, a scenic venue provided by FELISSIMO CORPORATION, overlooking the ocean in one of Kobe’s emerging tourist areas.
We spoke with Mr. Kazuhiko Yazaki, President of FELISSIMO CORPORATION, who shared,
“It was a great honor to host such a meaningful event. While we are not currently engaged in Africa-related business, we hope this event will spark new ideas and potential opportunities for us.”
AAIC Group Will Continue to Support Global South Expansion
AAIC Group remains committed to supporting businesses interested in expanding into Africa and Asia, and we will continue to foster cross-regional collaboration with partners across sectors.
Event Overview
-
Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 | 13:00–17:10
-
Venue: Stage Felissimo Hall (7-1 Shinkocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe)
-
Organizers: City of Kobe / Operated by AFRIKA meets KANSAI, Innovation Dojo Japan LLC
-
Languages: Japanese / English
Program Schedule
- 13:00 Opening Remarks
- 13:15 Keynote Speech: “Made With Japan – Unlocking Africa’s Potential Through Co-Creation”
- 14:00 Business Idea Contest for Solving Africa’s Social Challenges
- 16:10 Japanese Companies’ Case Studies in Africa
- 16:50 Awards Ceremony & Closing