December 9, 2021
On December 7 and 8, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) held the Thematic Sessions of the Second Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum jointly with the Government of Kenya and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
The Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum
The Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum aims to promote cooperation by private companies in Japan and Africa and Japanese companies’ business activities in Africa, in fields such as trade, investment, and energy. It is held once every three years, with the participation of people from the highest levels of the public and private sectors in both Japan and Africa.
Former Prime Minister Abe announced the establishment at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in 2016, and the first forum was held in South Africa in 2018.
The main points in the Thematic Sessions
Session 1: Innovation in AFRICA with JAPAN
The participants discussed the potential of startup companies in Africa’s business world, which is accelerating even in the COVID-19 pandemic. The moderator was Mr. Hada Yutaka, Chief Secretariat, Japan Business Council for Africa.
Session 2: Integration in AFRICA
The participants discussed the latest trends and business expectations regarding the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The moderator was Mr. Asakura Daisuke, Deputy Executive Director, JETRO Johannesburg.
Session 3: Industrialization in AFRICA with JAPAN
The participants discussed the contributions from and expectations of Japan regarding industrialization in Africa. The moderator was Dr. Oussouby Sacko, President, Kyoto Seika University.
Session 4: Green & Digital Infrastructure for AFRICA
The participants discussed contributing to introducing electricity and clean energy and developing digital telecommunications infrastructure in Africa. The moderators were Dr. Yasunaga Yuko, Head, Investment and Technology Promotion Office, Tokyo, UNIDO, and Prof. Yamanaka Atsushi, Kobe Institute of Computing Graduate School.
Session 5: Accelerating Finance Solutions in AFRICA
The participants discussed strengthening finance functions in order to expand private investment. The moderator was Mr. Maeda Hiroshi, Head of Paris Office, NEXI.
After all the sessions were over, information about 15 memorandums of understanding on finance, human resource development, healthcare, energy, and a wide variety of other fields was introduced. The MoUs are between a diverse range of companies and organizations, including ones in both the public and private sectors in Japan and Africa.
Note: A summary and a list of the MoUs will be posted at a later date.
