@Toyota: Promoting Culture and the Arts to Create Africa’s Future – Launch of THE TOYOTA TSUSHO CFAO African Art Award –

Toyota Tsusho Corporation (“Toyota Tsusho”) and its group company CFAO SAS (“CFAO”) will launch the “THE TOYOTA TSUSHO CFAO African Art Award,” a cultural and artistic initiative aimed at creating the future of Africa through art. This marks the first time a Japanese private company has undertaken such an initiative.

In partnership with Palais de Lomé, a contemporary art museum in the Republic of Togo, this initiative will support promising artists from all 54 African countries in collaboration with curators who are well versed in the culture and art of each nation. In its first year, several winners will be selected through a screening process from among the artists nominated by the curators, with exhibitions of their works planned for next spring in Togo, France, and Japan. The initiative will be carried out on an ongoing basis starting in 2025.

Toyota Tsusho and CFAO have a history of over 170 years in Africa and have built long-term partnerships with countries across the continent while fostering deep relationships of trust with local communities under the philosophy of “WITH AFRICA FOR AFRICA.” Centered on four business pillars of Mobility, Green Infra, Healthcare, and Consumer, they are now taking the next step in their journey by expanding into the new fields of culture and the arts through this initiative.

Africa is the region with the youngest population in the world, and its creativity in culture and the arts is drawing increasing global attention. In recent years, artwork produced in Africa have come to symbolize the continent’s unique cultures and are gaining international interest. However, many young artists still face limited opportunities to share their creativity with the world, and access to support remains scarce. To address this situation, this initiative aims to unlock the potential of the African people, especially youth, and help develop the next generation of talent and local communities.

We will leverage the trust and local networks we have cultivated over the years to support promising artists from Africa, and together, help create the continent’s future. We believe that the stories they tell and the artwork they create will serve as a bridge connecting Africa and the world.

Under the philosophy of “WITH AFRICA FOR AFRICA,” Toyota Tsusho and CFAO will contribute to sustainable social development for the future children of Africa through both its business activities and the promotion of the arts.

＜Reference information＞
Project Story Africa Page: https://www.toyota-tsusho.com/english/about/project/32.html