Target Audience: Young African animation professionals affiliated with Africa-based animation studios.
Cohort Capacity: Up to 10 African animation studios/companies (20 participants total; 2 per organization).
Exchange Duration: Approximately 12 days in Japan.
Core Focus Areas: Japanese anime workflows, studio site visits, technology transfer, co-production opportunities, and leadership development.
How to Apply: Submit your organization’s application via the official JICE Program Portal.
Africa’s animation sector is experiencing rapid creative expansion, with talent across the continent bringing unique stories to global screens. To connect this rising ecosystem with world-leading technical expertise, the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) have opened applications for the Japan-Africa Youth Program 2026. This landmark international exchange brings 20 young African creators and studio executives to Japan for an intensive 12-day immersion into the heart of the Japanese anime industry.
Who Can Apply for the 12-Day Japan Exchange?
The Japan-Africa Youth Program 2026 uses a strategic two-person nomination model designed to foster both creative production and executive decision-making. Instead of selecting isolated freelancers, the initiative invites up to 10 Africa-based animation companies to nominate two team members each:
One Executive or Decision-Maker: A studio leader capable of establishing business partnerships, co-production deals, and institutional strategies.
One Creative Practitioner: An animator, director, storyboard artist, or technical crew member actively involved in production.
To qualify, individual nominees must be citizens of an African Union member state, aged 39 or younger, and formally affiliated with an active studio in Africa. Candidates must be fluent in English, French, or Japanese. Individuals holding Japanese nationality, those residing in Japan, or applicants who have previously lived in Japan for more than 12 months are ineligible.
What the 12-Day Anime Immersion Offers African Creators
The program offers participants direct access to Japan’s legendary animation infrastructure, providing practical insights into studio management, pipeline engineering, and storytelling methodologies. Over the 12-day visit, participants engage in a packed itinerary including:
Studio & Production Visits: Behind-the-scenes access to leading Japanese anime studios, post-production houses, and creative technology centers.
Academic & Creator Exchanges: Interactive sessions with faculty at specialized arts universities and discussions with veteran Japanese directors and producers.
Co-Production Roundtable: Dedicated networking spaces to explore joint ventures, international distribution, and collaborative storytelling between African and Japanese teams.
Application Guidelines
Because the program aims to build long-term industry bridges rather than standard educational travel, candidates should demonstrate a clear vision for ongoing collaboration with Japanese partners before, during, and after the trip.
When preparing your application on the official portal, keep these critical guidelines in mind:
Submit Inquiries Online Only: Organizers accept questions exclusively through the official JICE inquiry form. Telephone inquiries will result in disqualification.
Verify Studio Affiliation: Both nominees must be verifiable staff members of an operational African animation studio.
Adhere to Departure Health Criteria: Selected delegates must undergo health screenings; individuals presenting a fever of 38°C or higher on the departure date will not be permitted to travel.
For African animation studios seeking to scale their production standards and tap into international distribution networks, the Japan-Africa Youth Program 2026 offers an unmissable gateway into global anime co-creation.
