METI Minister Nishimura Visits Five Countries in Africa

By africa-news
6 months Ago

Mr. Nishimura Yasutoshi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, visited five countries in Africa (Namibia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Madagascar) from August 6 (Sun.) to August 13 (Sun.). He met with relevant ministers and signed joint statements and memorandums of agreement in several countries. He joined business missions, including a startup mission to Angola and mining sector business missions to Zambia, to reinforce intergovernmental relationships and business relationships for securing mining resources.

1. Namibia (August 8) (1) Meeting with H.E. Ms. Christine Hoebes, Minister in the Presidency

In the meeting with H.E. Ms. Christine Hoebes, Head Minister in the Presidency of Namibia, Minister Nishimura thanked her for visits by VIPs including participation in TICAD8 held in August 2022, and explained Japan’s proposal, namely the Namibia Rare Earth Industry Master Plan. Minister Hoebes welcomed the visit, and requested cooperation in the area of education.

(2) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Thomas Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy and H.E. Ms. Lucia Iipumbu, Minister of Industrialisation and Trade

Minister Nishimura proposed the holding of a mining investment seminar in Japan to H.E. Mr. Thomas Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy, based on the experience of Minister Alweendo’s visit to Japan in April 2023, for the further development of cooperation in the mining sector and to attract more interest in Japan. With H.E. Ms. Lucia Iipumbu, Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Minister Nishimura exchanged opinions on the enhancement of trade and investment relationship between both countries. After the meeting, he signed joint statements with both Ministers respectively.

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2. Angola

Minister Nishimura became the first METI Minister to visit Angola.

(1) Visiting CFAO Motors Angola (August 8)

Minister Nishimura visited CFAO Motors Angola (a subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation), which is one of the Japanese companies actively engaged in business in Angola, and exchanged opinions on the business environment in that country.

(2) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Caetano João, Minister of Economy and Planning (August 9)

During his visit to Angola, Minister Nishimura confirmed the importance of holding of a Japan-Angola Business Roundtable, in which many leading companies of both countries and startups visiting Angola from Japan participated, and signing of a Joint Statement. He also discussed the enhancement of the economic relationship between Japan and Angola with Minister João.

(3) Courtesy call on H.E. Mr. João Lourenço, President of Angola (August 9)

Minister Nishimura explained that his visit sought to realize in concrete terms results of the summit meeting during President Lourenço’s visit to Japan in March 2023, and presented a personal letter from Prime Minister Kishida. Also, both parties expressed the expectation that the Japan-Angola Investment Agreement signed during this visit to Angola will accelerate the enhancement of the economic relationship between the two countries. After the meeting, both parties attended the signing of the Japan-Angola Investment Agreement.

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(4) Japan-Angola Business Roundtable (August 9)

More than 20 Japanese companies, including representative companies of Japan and eight startups, and companies in Angola participated in the roundtable. Minister Nishimura expressed his expectation that the roundtable will promote the power of innovation generated from business cooperation between both countries to resolve issues faced by Angolan society, to realize the economic growth of both Japan and Angola, and to open up a better future.

3. Democratic Republic of the Congo (1) Courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Sama Lukonde, Prime Minister, and H.E. Mr. Vital Kamerhe, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for National Economy of Democratic Republic of the Congo (August 10)

Minister Nishimura expressed his gratitude for visits by VIPs, including participation in TICAD8 held in August 2022. He exchanged opinions on the entry of Japanese companies in the future and ensuring a stable supply of critical minerals by establishing a comprehensive relationship, including the securing of important mining resources, ODA, and human resources development.

Prime Minister Sama Lukonde

Vice Prime Minister Kamerhe

(2) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Godard Motemona, Vice-Minister of Mines (August 10)

Through the follow-up of the Joint Statement of Intent on Cooperation in the Mining Sector signed by both ministers in December 2022, and agreement on action items going forward, both ministers confirmed the enhancement of cooperation between the two countries, and agreed upon the dispatch of public and private missions in the future. After the meeting, Minister Nishimura attended the signing of the Scope of Work in the area of exploration between the Ministry of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).

4. Zambia (1) Courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia (August 11)

Minister Nishimura and President Hichilema confirmed the enhancement of cooperation between both economies, including the stable securing of mining resources. Also, opinions were exchanged on the entry of Japanese companies into resource projects in Zambia.

(2) Japan-Zambia Mining Investment Roundtable (August 11)

A roundtable meeting on investment in the mining sector between Japan and Zambia was held, in which eleven Japanese companies participated. All parties exchanged honest opinions towards realizing investment in Zambia. Minister Nishimura also signed the Joint Statement on Cooperation in the Mining Sector with H.E. Mr. Paul C. Kabuswe, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, and attended the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development and JOGMEC.

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5. Madagascar (1) Courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Christian Ntsay, Prime Minister of Madagascar (August 11)

Also present at the time of the courtesy call were H.E. Mr. Yvette Sylla, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Olivier Rakotomalala, Minister of Mines and Strategic Resources, H.E. Mr. Andrieux Ramampanoharama, Vice Minister of Economy and Finance, H.E. Mr. Rakotoarisoa Indriamanga, Vice Minister of the Office of Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Ondja Miandri Rakotondramanana, Vice Minister of Industry, Trade and Consumer Affairs. In the meeting, both parties agreed on advancing cooperation in a wide range of areas, including the minerals sector. This includes the Ambatovy Project, one of the largest mining investment projects in Africa, which produces minerals such as nickel and has participation from a Japanese company, and the project to extend the port of Toamashina, which is the loading port for the Ambatovy Project. They agreed to create a win-win situation through cooperation in those projects and develop a good relationship between the two countries in the medium to long term.

(2) Visiting the Ambatovy Nickel Plant (August 12)

Minister Nishimura visited the Ambatovy Nickel Plant, which is one of the largest mining investment projects in Africa and which has participation from Japanese companies. He received an explanation on the efforts and future plans of each company operating the facilities and exchanged opinions with them.