2 East Africa
(1) Uganda
Under President Yoweri Museveni’s long-serving administration, Uganda has enjoyed sustained economic growth owing to its stable domestic politics and has contributed to regional stability as a major actor in East Africa. Uganda also actively accepts refugees, including those from South Sudan staying in the northern part of the country. Japan-Uganda Foreign Ministers’ Meetings were held at the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in March and at TICAD 8 in August, where ministers discussed issues such as food security in Africa.
(2) Ethiopia
Ethiopia hosts the headquarters of the African Union (AU) and occupies an important position in African politics. It has the second largest population in Africa (110 million people) and high annual growth rate of around 10% from 2004 to 2019 (6% in 2020).
Armed clashes occurred between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in October 2020, but a peace agreement was signed in November 2022 between the government and the TPLF through mediation by the AU and others. Moving forward, it is important that all parties implement the agreement in good faith. Japan will push for the realization of the peace agreement in cooperation with like-minded countries through the activities of its Ambassador, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa.
・Trade: In the past, the U.S. accounted for a large share as an export destination, but China’s share has taken the top spot in recent years. Exports from resource-rich countries such as Angola and Nigeria to the U.S. have declined, and China is increasing its presence as a new export destination. In terms of imports, China has large trade volume with regional powers such as South Africa and Nigeria. In 2021, Japan ranked 10th in terms of its share in the region’s exports and 11th in terms of imports2.
・Investment: The U.S. and the UK are rivaling for the top spot, as the former being the leading investor to Mauritius, which is the largest FDI destination in the region, and the latter, being a former colonial power, holding a prominent share in FDI to South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ghana. China certainly has a presence in Niger and Zambia, but it falls short of the U.S. and the UK in the region as a whole. India also has a certain presence in Mauritius and other countries.
・Finance: While, in the past, there were external debts to various countries. evenly without leaning toward a specific country. Angola and other countries experienced a sharp increase in external debt to China in the 2010s. In 2021, Japan was the fifth largest bilateral creditor country.
1. See page 193 for notes regarding this data
2. While only limited number of countries such as Japan, the U.S., and China are illustrated in the chart, the rankings in the text are for all countries/regions for which data is available (including countries, etc. in the relevant region).
(3) Eritrea
Eritrea is a country located on the international strait connecting the Indian Ocean, the Suez Canal, and Europe. Although it is blessed with mineral, fishery and tourism resources, it is isolated internationally. Eritrea has had an important role in regional stability, including that for the situation in northern Ethiopia. Japan opened an embassy in Eritrea in January, and at the Japan-Eritrea Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on the occasion of TICAD 8 in August, Japan encouraged cooperation for peace and stability in the region.
(4) Kenya
Kenya is an important partner for peace and stability in the region as a stabilizing force in East Africa, playing a central role in the regional economy and making efforts to resolve conflicts in Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Japan is cooperating with Kenya’s efforts through its Ambassador, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. As a result of the presidential election, Dr. William Samoei Ruto was inaugurated as President in September. Mr. MAKIHARA Hideki, a member of the House of Representatives, represented Japan at the presidential inauguration ceremony as a special envoy of the Prime Minister.
At a summit meeting in March, two leaders of Japan and Kenya confirmed that they would work closely together to deal with the situation in Ukraine. On the economic and business front, the Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum was held in Kenya in May, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs SUZUKI Takako, attended the forum and made efforts to strengthen relations. In addition, Japan-Kenya Foreign Ministers’ Meetings were held during TICAD 8 in August and the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in November, where the two foreign ministers discussed food security in Africa among other issues and agreed to further develop bilateral relations.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Suzuki meeting with Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Raychelle Awuor Omamo(May 3, Nairobi, Kenya)
(5) Union of Comoros
The Union of Comoros is Japan’s partner and supports “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” as a maritime nation like Japan. It has chaired the AU since February 2023.
At TICAD 8 in August, the leaders of Japan and the Union of Comoros held a summit meeting where the two leaders confirmed the importance of transparency and fairness in development finance. President Azali Assoumani and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dhoihir Dhoulkamal attended the state funeral for the late Prime Minister ABE Shinzo in September, and the Japan-Comoros Summit Meeting was realized.
(6) Djibouti
Djibouti is an important partner for Japan in the realization of FOIP, as it is situated at a strategic point of international security connecting European and Asian countries across the Indian Ocean. It is located at one of the great trade arteries and is aiming to be a regional distribution hub. Since 2011, Djibouti has been hosting the facility of Japan Self-Defense Forces to carry out Japan’s counter-piracy operations. In addition to collaborating to strengthen the operational infrastructure in this region, such as protecting and transporting Japanese nationals living abroad, Japan will further deepen its involvement in the country through the Ambassador, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. At TICAD 8 in August, Japan held a summit meeting with Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, where the two leaders discussed regional stability, including countermeasures for piracy.
(7) Sudan
Sudan has the second largest land area in Sub-Saharan Africa and is endowed with crude oil, mineral resources, water resources from the Nile, and fertile land. The country has potential for economic development, but its development has been hampered by a long civil war totaling about 40 years since its independence.
The Bashir administration collapsed in April 2019, and the Sudanese Transitional Government was formed later in August that year and signed the Peace Agreement with the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) in October 2020. However, the military seized power on October 25, 2021, and formed a military government. Japan calls for the immediate realization of transitioning to civilian rule in collaboration with like-minded countries.
(8) Seychelles
Seychelles is an important partner for Japan in the realization of FOIP, as it is located on a security and economically important sea lane in the Indian Ocean, and is an island country rich in tourism and fisheries resources. President Wavel John Charles Ramkalawan attended TICAD 8 in August and met with Foreign Minister Hayashi to discuss the strengthening of food security in Africa among other issues. Japan plans to establish an embassy in Seychelles in FY2023.
(9) Somalia
In May 2022, Somalia’s presidential election resulted in the inauguration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the peaceful completion of the transition of power. Japan is supporting President Hassan’s efforts to consolidate peace amidst humanitarian crises such as droughts, floods, and the ongoing activities of Al Shahab. In August, at a meeting between Foreign Minister Hayashi and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who was attending TICAD 8, both parties affirmed their further cooperation in future endeavors. In November, Japan made the decision to provide 14 million US dollars in emergency grant assistance to transport and distribute Ukrainian wheat to Somalia through the UN World Food Program (WFP).
(10) Tanzania
Tanzania is a key East African trading hub, supported by stable internal governance and economic growth. Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took office in April 2021, Tanzania is expected to expand investment and business opportunities.
At the Japan-Tanzania Summit Meetings with Prime Minister Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa held during the TICAD 8 in August and on the occasion of the state funeral for the late Prime Minister ABE Shinzo in September, the two leaders confirmed their cooperation to further develop economic relations.
(11) Burundi
Burundi is a landlocked country located in the central part of the African continent. Under General Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of Brundi, who took office in May 2020, Burundi has been undertaking pragmatic all-round diplomacy emphasizing good relations with neighboring countries and economic cooperation with Western countries. Foreign Minister Hayashi held talks with President Ndayishimiye, who attended TICAD 8 in August, and had the Japan-Brundi Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro, who attended the state funeral for the late Prime Minister ABE Shinzo in September, where they discussed peace and stability in the region.
(12) Madagascar
Madagascar is an island country located off the southeastern coast of Africa, and is an important country for Japan as a supplier of mineral resources, with Japanese companies operating integrated nickel and cobalt production operations.
In August, Foreign Minister Hayashi and President Andry Nirina Rajoelina, who was attending TICAD 8, had a meeting to discuss strengthening food security and addressing vulnerabilities of the economy in Africa.
(13) South Sudan
South Sudan continued to be in turmoil from the clashes that broke out in December 2013, but the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) was signed in September 2018.
Japan has been supporting efforts toward peace and stability in South Sudan through projects such as the Nile River Bridge, which was completed in May 2022, and Prime Minister Kishida expressed Japan’s continued support for the nation-building efforts of South Sudan at the Video Teleconference meeting with Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol Agany, who attended TICAD 8 in August.
(14) Mauritius
Mauritius is a maritime nation like Japan with a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and a partner in realizing FOIP. Relations between Japan and Mauritius have become even closer through cooperation in responding to the oil spill of the cargo ship Wakashio that occurred in 2020. At the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held during TICAD 8 in August, the two ministers confirmed that they would develop economic relations through measures such as the establishment of the “Bilateral Committee on Improvement of Business Environment.”
(15) Rwanda
Under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, Rwanda has continued its efforts toward economic development and national reconciliation. Recently, the country has been experiencing rapid growth, particularly in the field of information and communication technology, and an increasing number of Japanese companies, including start-ups, have set up offices in the country where cooperation in the space sector has also been advancing.
In light of Japan’s economic interest, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Suzuki visited Rwanda in May and held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vincent Biruta, while the Japan-Rwanda Summit Meeting was held on the occasion of the G20 Summit in November, where the two leaders reaffirmed further development of the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Japan-Rwanda Summit Meeting (November 14, Bali, Indonesia. Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
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Publish date : 2023-11-22 22:14:13
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