Section 8 Africa

1 Overview

Africa, with a population of over 1.4 billion in 54 countries, is expected to account for a quarter of the world's population by 2050. It is a young, energetic continent full of potential. With abundant mineral resources and high economic growth rates, it is an important region in terms of Japan's economic security and securing value chains, and is also attracting global attention as a potential investment destination that should be further developed. At the same time, there are regions where peace and stability are threatened by conflicts, terrorism, and political turmoil, and they still face development challenges such as poverty and hunger.

To date, many countries and regions have held fora with Africa, including the United States (U.S.), France, Germany, the European Union (EU), Russia, China, the Republic of Korea (ROK), India, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia. In 2024, there were numerous summit-level or ministerial-level fora with Africa, such as with Italy in January, with Nordic countries in May, with the ROK in June, with China and Indonesia in September, and with Türkiye and Russia in November. As the chair country, Italy set an agenda focused on Africa, including holding a session on “Africa, Climate Change and Development” at the G7 Apulia Summit in June. Since December, South Africa has served as the chair of the G20 and has presented an agenda that considers African development challenges, such as solidarity, equality, and sustainability, as Africa's role in the international community is becoming increasingly important.

Presidential and parliamentary elections that contributed to the consolidation and strengthening of democratic processes were held in countries such as Liberia, Senegal, Chad, Rwanda, South Africa, Mauritius, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and Ghana. At the same time, in West Africa, the problems of terrorism and violent extremism continue to be serious in the Sahel region.⁽¹⁾ In the Horn of Africa⁽²⁾ region, humanitarian crises are expanding as large numbers of people are being displaced due to conflicts and other factors, including in Sudan, where the armed conflict continues between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In the Great Lakes region, particularly in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, armed groups remain active, and the human rights and humanitarian situation continue to worsen.

In February, Prime Minister Kishida met with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto during his visit to Japan, and the two leaders concurred in working together to strengthen bilateral relations, including economic relations, promote a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP),” and enhance cooperation in the international arena. During the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in April, Foreign Minister Kamikawa held a foreign ministers' meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad of Mauritania Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug. Mauritania held the chair of the African Union (AU) and Minister Merzourg was a co-chair of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting.

In April, Foreign Minister Kamikawa visited Madagascar, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria, and held foreign ministers' meetings in each country. In Madagascar, both sides confirmed their intention to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as economic security and human resource development. Additionally, in Côte d'Ivoire, Foreign Minister Kamikawa exchanged views with local women leaders, and in Nigeria she held dialogues with internally displaced women.

TICAD Ministerial Meeting was held in Tokyo in August (See the Opening Special Feature on page 8.) with representatives from 47 African countries, as well as international organizations, private companies, parliamentarians, and civil society groups participating. In preparation for the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), scheduled for August 2025, discussions were held on three areas: society, peace and stability, and the economy. The session on the economy featured a new panel discussion and networking session with representatives from Japanese and African companies and Ministers. A meeting with female Ministers (in the form of a working lunch) and a welcome reception were also held, and the “TICAD Ministerial Meeting Joint Communiqué,” the first of its kind at a TICAD Ministerial Meeting, was adopted as an outcome document.

Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad Merzoug, co-chair of the TICAD Ministerial Meeting (August 24–25, Tokyo)

TICAD 9 is scheduled to be held in Yokohama in August 2025. To lead the international community toward cooperation amid increasing division and confrontation in the world, Japan continues to work closely with African countries to co-create innovative solutions to African and global challenges, while emphasizing “ownership” by African countries and “partnership” by the international community.

• (1) The Sahel refers to a wide area located south of the Sahara Desert. Although there is no strict definition, it generally refers to the region including Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad.
• (2) The “Horn of Africa” refers to the region on the northeastern part of the African continent that protrudes in the shape of a horn toward the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. It encompasses the countries of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya.