According to official data, in 2024, trade between Japan and African countries amounted to $8.9 billion. A performance due in part to the number of Japanese companies operating in Africa, which increased from 520 in 2010 to 900 in 2020. As the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) is held in Japan until August 22, 2025, African leaders are advocating for more investments to be directed towards the private sector.
Since 2020, Japan’s foreign policy towards Africa has undergone profound changes. With foreign direct investments totaling $6 billion in 2021, the East Asian island nation has shifted to trade, with the volume estimated at $8.9 billion in 2024, according to data from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). With the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) taking place in Yokohama, the Japan-Africa relationship, which began in 1993, is expected to strengthen through the mobilization of private sector investments. On this topic, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba presented a new model of economic collaboration involving governments, industries, and experts to strengthen ties between the Indo-Pacific region and Africa.
« I urge all stakeholders, governments and development partners, the private sector and civil society to renew their commitment to collaborative innovation. Together, we can co-create solutions that are not only transformative but also sustainable and inclusive, ensuring that no one is left behind. »
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, President of the African Union Commission – Djibouti
Japanese investments in Africa are expected to increase significantly, given the strengthened engagement with the private sector through initiatives such as the Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The two entities have intensified their work with African governments and regional organizations by serving as entry points for Japanese companies, creating channels ranging from public cooperation to private investment. In 2024, the Japanese government reported that 57% of Japanese companies in Africa planned to expand their operations within two years, a three-point increase from 2023.
“In a global context characterized by increasing volatility, we are witnessing the resurgence of protectionism and geopolitical tensions, a situation that clearly endangers the global order based on international law and universal norms that govern relations between states.”
João Lourenço, President of the Republic, President of the AU – Angola
Science, technology, innovation, vocational training, and infrastructure are the main areas that link Africa and Japan. The Japanese government is seeking to capitalize on the potential of the private sector to advance its foreign policy in Africa, as manufacturing opportunities on the continent are expected to reach $1 trillion by 2025, according to the African Development Bank. In May 2025, Japan launched a US$1 million program with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. AfCFTA.
