President Keisuke Shimoyamada Champions Youth Leadership and Economic Empowerment at the ICC World Chambers Federation Africa Summit

JCI President Keisuke Shimoyamada proudly represented the organization at the ICC World Chambers Federation Africa Summit, a premier gathering of global business leaders, policymakers, and chambers of commerce. His participation underscored JCI’s unwavering commitment to empowering young people, fostering entrepreneurship, and driving sustainable economic development worldwide.

Throughout the summit, President Shimoyamada highlighted the critical role that youth leadership and innovation play in shaping resilient economies. By engaging in high-level dialogues and forging strategic relationships, he reinforced the importance of inclusive partnerships that promote long-term growth and prosperity.

Key Highlights from the Summit:

• Panel Participation on African Entrepreneurship: President Shimoyamada served as a panelist in the session "Opportunities for African Entrepreneurs – Innovative Solutions for Young Entrepreneurs to Tap into New Markets." He emphasized how young leaders are at the forefront of innovation and how their ideas can transform challenges into scalable solutions that benefit communities and economies alike.

• Strategic Dialogue with ICC Leadership: In a pivotal meeting with ICC Secretary General John Denton, President Shimoyamada discussed future avenues for collaboration. Key topics included women’s empowerment, sustainability-focused initiatives, and support for the International Human Duties Initiative — a global campaign to reinforce shared responsibility and civic engagement.

• Launch of JCI Kenya: Marking a major milestone in regional expansion, President Shimoyamada delivered a keynote address at the official launch of JCI Kenya. His remarks celebrated the power of local action and reiterated JCI’s dedication to growing its presence across Africa by equipping young leaders with the tools to create positive change.

• Strengthening National-Level Partnerships: Building on shared goals, President Shimoyamada initiated conversations to align the efforts of JCI National Organizations with those of ICC national chambers. These discussions aim to foster impactful national partnerships that bridge the private sector with youth-led development.

• Promotion of Flagship JCI Programs: During networking sessions with representatives from the entrepreneurial, trade, and financial sectors, President Shimoyamada actively promoted signature JCI initiatives such as Creative Young Entrepreneur (CYE) and JCI RISE. These programs exemplify JCI’s focus on innovation, resilience, and sustainable enterprise.

  
  

JCI’s presence at the ICC Africa Summit reinforced the organization's mission to inspire and mobilize young people for economic empowerment, sustainable impact, and meaningful collaboration — not only on the African continent, but across the globe.