NEWS

Toyota Tsusho Corporation is partnering with other global corporations and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to build a world-class Transport Training Centre in Accra, Ghana, aimed at enhancing transport and logistics capacities across West Africa. The centre will inject new expertise into local transport markets, equipping them to deliver life-saving goods like food and medicine more efficiently throughout the region.

Bringing together other leading players in the sector, such as Carrier, Renault Trucks, the Government of Ghana and WFP will set up a first-of-its-kind centre which will offer free online and hands-on training to up to 400 people per year. Training will be provided on best practices in road transport, fleet management and the safe transport of temperature-sensitive commodities. Trainees will include staff from humanitarian organizations, governments and the local private sector.

"Over the last couple of years, we've seen how important strong and resilient supply chains are - and this training centre is a critical step towards building stronger supply chains in West Africa," said Alex Marianelli, WFP's Director of Supply Chain. "WFP has a long history in West Africa and we're excited to share our knowledge and experience and - through our partners - provide access to the latest knowledge from leading experts."

Increased local capacities and expertise in supply chain will, in turn, support WFP's emergency and resilience-building operations in vulnerable communities across West Africa.

Construction of the centre is expected to commence later this year with the financial support of the Government of Japan, on land donated by the Government of Ghana as part of the existing WFP United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot operations.

Through the centre, partners and stakeholders aim to address the challenges hindering the development of the transport sector across West Africa, including lack of training opportunities and limited technical know-how.

Toyota Tsusho will be collaborating with Toyota Ghana Company Limited, Toyota's authorized distributor in Ghana, to conduct training on vehicle maintenance and will provide equipment, tools, and parts for on-site training and e-learning materials for online training. Ahead of the training centre's establishment, a ceremony was held for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between WFP and Toyota Tsusho at Tokyo Kaikan on July 11, 2022.

Under the philosophy of "WITH AFRICA FOR AFRICA," which aims to grow together with people and society of Africa, the Toyota Tsusho Group will contribute to the autonomous growth of the continent in ways unique to Toyota Tsusho through human resource development and value creation businesses for the future of Africa's children.

Signing of MOU

Left: WFP’s Executive Director David Beasley

Right: Toyota Tsusho’s Executive Vice President Toshimitsu Imai

Toyota Tsusho Corporation (“Toyota Tsusho”) announced today that it is collaborating with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and group company CFAO Motors Uganda on a new project which aims to provide refugees in Uganda with training on vehicle mechanics . This initiative will start in April 2022. It is the first collaboration of its kind between UNHCR and a Japanese company to provide refugees with practical skills in the automobile industry. The programme is expected to improve the refugee trainees’ livelihoods opportunities and thus contribute to self-reliance of refugee communities.

Promoting refugee self-reliance is a pressing issue in Africa, as refugees in the continent still face considerable barriers in this area. They are often unable to access quality training, employment, or financial services, and have limited opportunities for entrepreneurship.

Uganda hosts the greatest number of refugees in Africa. As of 31 January 2022, Uganda hosts almost 1.6 million displaced persons, of which over 59% are under the age of 18.

So far, Toyota Tsusho has supported skills development in Africa through programs tailored to target the social issues of each country and the opening of training centers. For this new project, the company is collaborating with UNHCR to support its mission to provide solutions for displaced communities. The project aims to provide training to refugees in Uganda to develop their skills on vehicle mechanics. This project aims to encourage self-reliance of refugees, thus easing the pressure on Uganda as a refugee-hosting country and contributing to the economic development of both refugee and host communities

Based on the “WITH AFRICA FOR AFRICA” philosophy, the Toyota Tsusho Group seeks to grow with the people and communities of Africa while further reinforcing and expanding business foundations. The Group will look beyond business creation to contribute to the autonomous growth of the continent through proactive measures to develop human resources and make social contributions.

About UNHCR:

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We deliver life-saving assistance that includes shelter, food and water, as well as help safeguard fundamental human rights. We also develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future and work to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality.

Pictures of the training image to develop vehicle mechanics.

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