Africa

January 11 to January 17, 2026

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Republic of Ghana

• Head: Dr. KUNIMITSU Ayano, State Minister for Foreign Affairs
• 41 companies and organizations, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cabinet Secretariat, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

On the 12th, State Minister KUNIMITSU paid courtesy calls on H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, H.E. Dr. Gedion Timothewos Hessebon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Melaku Alebel Addis, Minister of Industry. On the 13th, she paid courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Kassahun Gofe Balami, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration. She expressed her desire to further strengthen cooperation to enhance business relations between the two countries and conveyed her expectations for further improvements in the investment environment in Ethiopia.
On the 13th, she paid courtesy calls on H.E. Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). She also expressed Japan's commitment to the efforts towards African economic integration being led primarily by the AUC, and requested the cooperation of each institution for the “Public-Private-Academia Joint Study Group on Strengthening the Japan-Africa Economic Partnership”, which Japan announced the establishment at TICAD 9.

On the 12th, the delegation visited Safaricom Ethiopia (a Sumitomo Corporation-affiliated company), which has been operating telecommunications services in Ethiopia since 2022. As part of its economic liberalization efforts, the Ethiopian government has been advancing the liberalization of the telecommunications market since 2019. The company entered the telecommunications services business as the first private telecommunications operator in Ethiopia. In the afternoon of the same day, the delegation visited the Bole Lemi Industrial Park, which is Ethiopia's first industrial park primarily focused on the garment and apparel industries. Following discussions with the Industrial Park Development Authority, which manages and operates the park, the Mission toured a textile and garment manufacturing factory and a leather shoe factory.
On the 13th, the delegation visited Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest airline, where the delegation toured the cargo and logistics warehouse, observed the Ethiopian Airlines University conducting training for aviation professionals, and exchanged views with the management team.

On the 11th, participating companies and organizations were briefed on the local situation. Following the briefings by the Embassy of Japan, JICA, and JETRO, Mission members raised numerous questions regarding the Ethiopian government’s investment-related policies, which led to a lively and active discussion.
On the 12th, with a view to advancing the “Economic Region Initiative of Indian Ocean-Africa” announced by Japan at TICAD 9, a networking session was held with the AUC and diplomatic missions and companies from third countries, including G7 and Indian Ocean countries. During the session, participants shared information and exchanged views on Ethiopia’s potentials and challenges from the perspectives of the AUC and third countries.
On the 13th, in cooperation with the Ethiopian government, the Japan–Ethiopia Business Forum was held, during which the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration and the Ethiopian Investment Commission, among others, presented the Ethiopian government’s initiatives to promote investment. Following the forum, a networking session was organized, providing an opportunity for active exchanges between Japanese companies and Ethiopian companies and government representatives across both the public and private sectors. In the afternoon, a lecture was held by the UNECA on Africa’s macroeconomic outlook and prospects for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This was followed by a lively exchange of views with participants.

On the 14th, State Minister KUNIMITSU paid a courtesy call on Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry. On the 15th, she paid courtesy calls on Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President. During these meetings, State Minister KUNIMITSU reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the economic sphere, and requested continued support for Japanese companies’ business operation in Ghana.

On the 14th, the delegation visited Melcom, one of the largest supermarket chains in Ghana.
On the 15th, the delegation visited the training center of Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Ghana (TTMG), a subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation engaged in the manufacturing and multi-brand sales of Toyota and Suzuki vehicles in Ghana, which conducts automotive maintenance training for students in collaboration with the University of Ghana. Following this, the delegation visited the bonded factory of DTRT, one of the largest apparel manufacturing facilities in West Africa.
On the 16th, the delegation visited the Tema Free Zone. After receiving briefings on the zone’s incentives and potential, they toured TTMG’s automobile assembly plant located within the zone, as well as Mohinani’s plastic recycling facility, operated by the conglomerate with business activities across West Africa. State Minister KUNIMITSU visited the Kpone combined cycle power plant, one of Ghana’s largest combined cycle power plant s, which supplies approximately 10% of the country’s electricity and is operated by Cenpower, a project company with investment from Sumitomo Corporation. In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Tema Port, Ghana’s largest port, and conducted a site tour while receiving briefings from local officials on port operations.

On the 14th, a briefing on the local situation was held for participating companies and organizations. Following briefings from the Embassy of Japan, JICA, and JETRO, Mission members raised numerous questions regarding the Ghanaian government’s investment-related policies, leading to a lively and active discussion.
On the 15th, an exchange of views was held with Ghanaian fintech companies, including MoMo, which provides mobile money and other digital financial solutions. Following this, the Japan–Ghana Business Forum was held, during which the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, and other agencies presented the Ghanaian government’s initiatives to promote investment. In the evening, a networking reception was held with participation of many leading Ghanaian companies, providing an opportunity for mission participants to engage directly with local businesses.
On the 16th, a round-table discussion was held with Japanese companies already operating in Ghana. After the companies shared the challenges they face in Ghana as well as the country’s potential, active discussions took place with Mission members.

On the 15th, State Minister KUNIMITSU visited the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research at the University of Ghana, which was established in 1979 through Japan’s grant aid. She then visited the JICA Ghana Office and held an exchange of views with Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) working in Ghana.
On the 16th, a site visit was conducted to the Tema Motorway Interchange, a key transportation and logistics hub connecting Ghana with neighboring countries, which was developed through Japan’s grant aid and completed in February 2025.