5 West Africa

(1) Ghana

The Akufo-Addo administration, which was launched in 2017 and re-elected for a second term from 2021, has adopted the concept of Ghana Beyond Aid and is working to promote investment and diversify industries. In addition, the country is focusing on rebuilding the domestic economy, including the debt situation.

The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, which Japan has supported for many years through ODA, is a symbol of friendship and cooperation between Japan and Ghana and played a central role as a center for measures against COVID-19 in the country. Further concrete cooperation projects are underway in the health sector, including signing of a grant aid agreement for “the Project for the Improvement of Health Care System in the Northern Region” in May. The Japan-Ghana Foreign Ministers' Meetings were held three times in 2022 at the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in March, during TICAD 8 in August, and at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in November.

(2) Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde has a well-established democracy with high political stability among African countries. Japan is cooperating in the economic development of Cabo Verde through ODA, including through the exchange of notes concerning food aid in July. In August, Foreign Minister Hayashi held a meeting with Prime Minister José Ulisses Correia e Silva, who attended TICAD 8.

(3) Gambia

Since President Barrow took office in 2017, Gambia has been promoting reforms based on fundamental values and principles, such as democracy and the rule of law. The country held peaceful presidential elections in 2021 and parliamentary elections in 2022. However, it faces social issues such as a fragile economic structure dependent on agriculture and serious poverty. Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara attended the state funeral for the late Prime Minister ABE Shinzo in September and held talks with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yamada.

(4) Guinea

In Guinea, after the military takeover by a group of Guinean army soldiers in September 2021, a transitional government (led by interim President Mamadi Doumbouya) was established, and the transition to civilian rule is underway with a completion deadline of the end of 2024.

Guinea has abundant water resources and fertile land, has high development potential for agriculture and fisheries, along with the largest mineral resources in West Africa that produce bauxite and iron. Japan has had a friendly cooperative relationship with Guinea for many years.

(5) Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau aims to overcome poverty and political instability by taking advantage of its fertile lands, blessed with fishery and mineral resources. In September, Japan exchanged notes concerning food aid in collaboration with WFP. Furthermore, in November, the two countries exchanged notes regarding grant aid for the “Project for Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Governance to Prevent Corruption and Consolidate Peace” (cooperation with UNDP).

(6) Côte d'Ivoire

In May, Japan signed agreements for two yen loan projects (the “Taabo-Kossou-Bouake Power Network Reinforcement Project” and “COVID-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan”) to support efforts such as economic structural reform and national solidarity under the “National Development Plan” by President Alassane Ouattara. At a working lunch with Prime Minister Patrick Jérôme Achi during TICAD 8 in August, Foreign Minister Hayashi stated that Japan intends to support development of the northern region, which is important for the stability of Côte d'Ivoire and its sub-regions. In September, Japan and Côte d'Ivoire exchanged notes concerning the “Economic and Social Development Programme,” grant assistance to improve agricultural productivity in the region, while in December, the two countries also exchanged notes concerning yen loans to build a strong agricultural base for the country as a whole. Relations between the two countries are developing further through efforts such as investment promotion and revitalization.

Working lunch between Foreign Minister Hayashi and Prime Minister Achi of Côte d'Ivoire (August 27, Tunis, Tunisia)

(7) Sierra Leone

In Sierra Leone, the Bio administration that began in April 2018 after the election is focusing on building a stable, peaceful, open, and pluralistic democracy, and is prioritizing fields such as job creation and high-quality education.

Japan implements development cooperation with the country in areas such as health, human resources development, agriculture, and basic infrastructure development. In December, the two countries exchanged notes concerning grant aid for the “Project for the Extension of Power Distribution Network along the Freetown Peninsula.” Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation David John Francis attended TICAD 8 in August and held the Japan-Sierra Leone Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Foreign Minister Hayashi.

(8) Senegal

As the chair of the African Union (AU) in 2022, Senegal played a leading role in Africa's response to various challenges in the international arena. In addition, as a stabilizing force in West Africa, Senegal actively worked toward the peace and stability of the region.

At TICAD 8 held in August, Foreign Minister Hayashi (Special Envoy of the Prime Minister) served as co-chair together with President Macky Sall of Senegal and President Kais Saied of Tunisia. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yamada attended the 8th Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa held in October and introduced Japan's efforts to support peace and stability in Africa. He called for increased international collaboration to help Africa confront exogenous shocks such as COVID-19 and the food crisis triggered by the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

In December, President Sall made an official working visit to Japan and held his third summit meeting with Prime Minister Kishida. The two leaders issued the Japan-Senegal Joint Statement, confirming that the two countries, as strategically important partners, will strengthen cooperation both bilaterally and in the international arena.

Japan-Senegal Summit Meeting (December 19, Tokyo. Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)

(9) Togo

To improve Togo's food security and resolve development issues, Japan exchanged notes concerning food aid with Togo in August. In September, the Japan-Togo Summit Meeting was held on the occasion of President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe attending the state funeral for the late Prime Minister ABE Shinzo. The two leaders expressed expectations for further strengthening of Japan-Togo bilateral relations, exchanged views on international affairs, and agreed to work for further development of bilateral relations, following up on the outcome of TICAD 8.

(10) Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari, who marked the seventh anniversary of his inauguration in May, has tackled issues in a wide range of fields, including security, legislation, infrastructure, economy, and industry. In terms of security, about 80,000 terrorists and their families are claimed to have surrendered by October, and the Government of Nigeria is also working to support the rehabilitation of former terrorists. Combating piracy and armed robbery along the Nigerian coast in the Gulf of Guinea is one of the issues the country is tackling, and notes concerning Japan's grant aid for strengthening maritime security were exchanged in June.

Nigeria, which has one of the largest reserves of natural gas in Sub-Saharan Africa, is working to develop natural gas as an important energy source in the country's energy transition policy toward zero carbon dioxide emissions.

(11) Niger

Niger is facing the growing threat of terrorism primarily on its borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, and is making sustained efforts to counter terrorism and overcome development challenges in cooperation with the international community.

Minister of State, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Hassoumi Massoudou attended TICAD 8 in August. At the Japan-Niger Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on that occasion, Foreign Minister Hayashi announced that Japan would continue to contribute to strengthening food security in Africa, and in September, an exchange of notes concerning food aid was signed. Furthermore, the two countries are steadily deepening their cooperative relationship, including through an exchange of notes concerning grant aid aimed at improving access to secondary education and the learning environment, as well as promoting and continuing the enrollment of girls in schools in November.

(12) Burkina Faso

Terrorism has occurred frequently in Burkina Faso, mainly along the border areas with Mali and Niger in the north, and security has not been restored, resulting in a large number of casualties and internally displaced persons. Domestic dissatisfaction has increased amid the extremely deteriorating humanitarian situation, and in January and September 2022, a group of the Burkina Faso Armed Forces took power.

Japan has contributed to improving the quality of education in Burkina Faso through grant aid for the “Project for the Construction of Lower-Secondary Schools and Lower-Secondary Schools of Technical Education and Vocational Training in the Centre and Centre-Ouest Regions” (cooperation with UNICEF). In addition, Japan cooperates with WFP to implement food aid and is working to improve food security in the country.

(13) Benin

In September, Japan and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) signed a grant aid agreement for the “Project for Supporting Digital Health System for Infectious Diseases Control in Africa,” and made the decision to provide support to seven African countries, including Benin, to strengthen and streamline their systems for health facilities and other services. Minister of Foreign Affairs Aurélien Agbenonci attended TICAD 8 held in Tunisia in August, and Minister of Economy and Finance Romuald Wadagni attended the state funeral for the late Prime Minister ABE Shinzo in September.

(14) Mali

Following the military takeover by a group of the Malian military in August 2020 and May 2021, a transition government (led by President of the transition Assimi Goita) was established, and the transition to civilian rule is underway with a deadline of the end of March 2024. The security situation is serious, with frequent terrorist attacks and clashes mainly in the north and east. Securing peace and stability in Mali, which is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Sahel region as a whole, is an urgent issue for the international community.

Through the UNDP, Japan has made the decision to provide the equipment necessary for conducting highly transparent and reliable elections that meet international standards, and is supporting Mali's efforts to transition to civilian rule. In October, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yamada met with Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulaye Diop and announced that Japan would continue to cooperate in resolving the economic and social development challenges that Mali is facing, along with support for the transition to civilian rule. In November, the two countries exchanged notes concerning food aid and grant aid for the “Economic and Social Development Programme.”

(15) Liberia

President George Tawlon Manneh Oppong Weah is focusing on reducing poverty in Liberia, following the civil war that broke out in 1989 and the Ebola hemorrhagic fever that spread from neighboring countries in 2014, causing enormous humanitarian damage in Liberia. Other priorities include infrastructure, education, and health. Japan supported the reconstruction of a highway in the capital city of Monrovia in 2016. The road was renamed “Japan Freeway” in 2019 as a token of the friendship between Japan and Liberia. In July 2022, the two countries exchanged notes concerning grant aid for food aid. Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah attended TICAD 8 in August and had the Japan-Liberia Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

(16) Mauritania

Mauritania is located in the Sahel region, where security is becoming increasingly unstable. Although there have been no terrorist attacks since 2011 and the government has continued to operate in a relatively stable manner, the unseasonable weather and world affairs affecting the country since 2021 have resulted in a serious food shortage, and Japan is providing assistance such as food aid to the country. Japan is also enhancing its cooperative relationship by providing technical assistance and grant aid in the field of fisheries to Mauritania, such as improvement of the facilities of the training center for fisheries.