Investing in the Next Generation of Industrial Professionals in West Africa
Vilvoorde, March 2026 — On January 19, 2026, Komatsu marked a significant milestone in its global commitment to human resource development with the launch of the Komatsu Scholarship Program at the Centre de Formation Professionnelle Technique – Senegal Japon (CFPT-SJ) in Dakar, Senegal.
The commemorative ceremony brought together distinguished officials and stakeholders to celebrate an educational initiative aimed at strengthening technical skills and supporting the growth of industrial expertise across West Africa.
A High-Profile Ceremony Celebrating Education and Partnership
The ceremony was attended by Senegal's Minister of Employment, Vocational, and Technical Training, as well as the Ambassador of Japan to Senegal. Representatives from CFPT-SJ, including its principal and faculty members, joined students and distinguished representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senegal Office, Komatsu Chairman Hiroyuki Ogawa alongside other key Komatsu stakeholders, as well as Komatsu’s distributor BIA Group.
During the ceremony, ten scholarship recipients selected from more than 1,400 applicants were introduced, reflecting strong expectations for young talent who will help shape the future of regional industry.
CFPT-SJ was also formally recognised during the ceremony for its longstanding role in delivering advanced technical education across Senegal and the wider West African region.
Bridging the Skills Gap Through the Komatsu Scholarship Program
The Komatsu Scholarship Program was established pursuant to an agreement concluded between Komatsu and CFPT-SJ in 2025. Its mission is to improve young people's access to technical education and to support the development of experienced industrial professionals — addressing the critical skills gap between the local workforce and the growing demand for qualified technical talent in the region.
Through this program, Komatsu aims to train highly qualified technicians and professionals who combine solid technical expertise with core values of discipline, integrity, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Komatsu Chairman Hiroyuki Ogawa commented: “This scholarship program forms part of Komatsu’s global initiatives to support human resource development and reinforces our commitment to building a sustainable society by investing in people. We look forward to seeing the scholarship recipients pursue their studies with confidence and intellectual curiosity, and ultimately contribute to the advancement of industry in the years ahead.”
About CFPT-SJ: A Legacy of Senegal-Japan Cooperation
CFPT-SJ was established in 1984 by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and is now operated by the Government of Senegal. The Japanese government has designated CFPT as one of ten Human Resource Development Centers for Business and Industry established across Africa under the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).
The school also hosts many international students from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), serving as a central hub for vocational training in the West African region.
About Komatsu
Komatsu is an industry-leading manufacturer and supplier of equipment, technologies and services for the construction, forklift, mining, industrial and forestry markets. For over a century, Komatsu equipment and services have been used by companies worldwide to develop modern infrastructure, extract fundamental minerals, maintain forests and create technology and consumer products. The company’s global service and distributor networks support customer operations, tapping into the power of data and technology to enhance safety and productivity while optimising performance.
