Aiding the Development of African Society

Aiding the Development of African Society through our Operations and Social Contribution Activities

Africa comprises 53 countries*, which vary greatly in size. Of these, Toyota Tsusho has operations in 24 countries, where it hires locally. Business centers on Toyota automobiles, but we also handle cars, trucks, buses and two-wheeled vehicles for multiple other Japanese-affiliated automakers. As a member of local society, we take part in initiatives designed to promote social development.

  • * As of the date the original article was written. In July 2011, South Sudan declared its independence, raising this number to the current 54.

Employing Creative Sales Methods to Promote the Spread of Automobiles and Play a Key Role in the Region's Development

In emerging markets, automobiles are valued assets because of their most familiar role in transporting people and goods. Automobiles are also inextricably linked with the development of infrastructure and industry.

To make it easier for sole proprietorships and small and medium-sized businesses to purchase automobiles, we have introduced creative sales methods, including installment purchases and leasing. Naturally, however, as some of the financing methods we employ are non-standard, we explain the methods clearly beforehand and strive to provide the purchaser with as much information as possible.

In addition, in Kenya we are setting up systems related to a secondary market in used vehicles, which are highly popular. These systems involve conducting scrupulous service and maintenance of vehicles before qualifying them as certified used cars, as well as careful attention to other aspects of quality control.

Assisting the Skill Development of Locally Hired Employees and Executives

Based on our conviction that people are the key to a country's development, we strive to help locally hired employees enhance their skills and move ahead in their careers by providing training courses for different job categories and levels. For example, we train service mechanics in personal computer use and business writing, helping them to develop a diverse set of skills. We also provide training on problem-solving methods, mainly for mid-level employees, by making use of case studies. In this category, we gather together local employees in each country for two to three days of discussion-based Cross Regional Unit (CRU) training. For executives of local subsidiaries, we have in place a system whereby executives cycle through positions at our subsidiaries in different countries every few years to help them gain international management expertise.

Contributing to the Local Community via Scholarships and Streetlights

We take a proactive role in social contribution activities that are gauged to individual countries' circumstances. In Kenya, we established the Toyota Kenya Fund in 1990 to cultivate human resources by providing scholarships in the country. Through this program, to date we have provided scholarships to a total of 322 students. Through the education that this fund promotes, we aim to contribute to the sound development of Kenya's society.

Public safety and accident prevention measures are important social needs that are consistent in emerging markets. As one effort to address these needs, in 2000 Toyota Kenya Ltd. began a program to erect streetlights. As of 2011, more than 1,000 streetlights had been installed through this program.

Offering Integrated Services, from Vehicle Sales to After-Sales Service

In addition to offering vehicles for sale, automobile dealerships in African countries provide integrated services, such as selling spare parts and conducting after-sale maintenance. By offering guidance and training for local sales and service staff, we augment service levels and provide them with the opportunity to enhance their skills and careers.

Automotive Division Business in Africa

  

Human Resource Development in Africa

Contributing to the development of the local community is the social responsibility of a company developing its business in Africa.

Many African countries have experienced rapid economic growth in recent years, against a backdrop of surging internal demand and an abundance of natural resources. As a result, the African market has begun attracting attention. At the same time, a number of issues continue to plague the region, including gaps between rich and poor and local conflicts.

Ahead of other companies, Toyota Tsusho was an early proponent of establishing ties with local communities in Africa and investing in business in the region. For example, we established Toyota Kenya Ltd., a wholly owned company that serves as a Toyota dealership. In line with the resolution of social issues in the region, we are working toward the popularization of automobiles, the cultivation of the human resources we employ and the region's economic autonomy. At the same time, we are contributing to the community in such ways as encouraging school attendance and setting up streetlights.

Takashi Hattori
Managing Executive Officer
(In charge of Africa region)

Stakeholder Comment

Ms. Julliet Adhiambo Obute
Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Kenya

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Toyota Kenya Foundation for the abundant blessing they showered upon me. Through the scholarship, which took care of my tuition plus my accommodation, I was able to concentrate on my studies and graduated with very good grades in Environmental Health Sciences.

I successfully finished my diploma and am now employed by the government of Kenya in the Ministry of Health as a Public Officer. I can now give back to my community through the knowledge I received from college thanks to the very kind and charitable Toyota Kenya Foundation. You touched my life and the lives of many other needy students and through that gesture you have made Kenya a better place because we will also touch the lives of other people.

God bless the Toyota Kenya Foundation.

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