Chapter 2
Japan's Foreign Policy by Region
6 West Africa
(1) Ghana
The Akufo-Addo administration, which started its second term from 2021, has promoted investment and industrial diversification, as well as focused on revitalizing the domestic economy, including the debt situation.
Japan continues to support Ghana in a wide range of areas, including infectious disease control through the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
In January, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Fukazawa visited Ghana and paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
Minister Botchwey attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August, where she attended a working lunch for African female ministers hosted by Foreign Minister Kamikawa, and held a foreign ministers' meeting with Foreign Minister Kamikawa.
A presidential election was held in December, and former President John Dramani Mahama was elected president. The vote was conducted peacefully without any major disturbance, highlighting the maturity of democracy in the country.
(2) Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde has a well-established democracy and enjoys a high degree of political stability.
In January, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji met with Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation Miryan Djamila Sena Vieira, who was visiting Japan, and the two sides confirmed that they would cooperate on regional and global issues through fora such as TICAD and the United Nations (UN).
Additionally, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration Rui Alberto de Figueiredo Soares attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and held talks with Foreign Minister Kamikawa.
(3) The Gambia
The Gambia is pursuing reforms based on fundamental values and principles such as democracy and the rule of law. At the same time, it faces social issues such as a fragile economic structure dependent on agriculture and serious poverty.
In order to contribute to stabilizing the country's food supply, Japan signed and exchanged notes in August regarding grant aid for food aid.
(4) Guinea
In Guinea, a transitional process to civilian rule is underway under a transitional government that was established in September 2021. Guinea has abundant water resources and fertile land. It is also a major producer of mineral resources such as bauxite and iron.
Japan has been friendly relations with Guinea over the years, and to support the country's sustainable development, the two sides signed and exchanged notes in April regarding support for the development of economic infrastructure, and in August regarding grant aid for food aid.
During the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum held in Côte d'Ivoire in December, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsumoto met with Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ismaël Nabé.
(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. Japan provides food aid and other support to Guinea-Bissau.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Communities Carlos Pinto Pereira, attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and held talks with Foreign Minister Kamikawa. During the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum held in Côte d'Ivoire in December, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsumoto met with Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration Soares Sambu.
(6) Côte d'Ivoire
In February, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Fukazawa met with Minister for National Education and Literacy Mariatou Koné, during his visit to Ethiopia for the AU Assembly.
In April, Foreign Minister Kamikawa visited Côte d'Ivoire, where she paid a courtesy call on President Alassane Ouattara and met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad Kacou Houadja Léon Adom. Foreign Minister Kamikawa also inspected the new maternal and child health care annex of the University Hospital Center of Cocody, the largest hospital in Côte d'Ivoire, which was constructed and renovated with assistance from Japan, and met with women leaders of the country.
Foreign Minister Kamikawa inspecting the new maternal and child health care annex of the University Hospital Center of Cocody (April 29, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire)
In June, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs KOMURA Masahiro met with Minister of Animal and Fishery Resources Sidi Tiémoko Touré, who was visiting Japan.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad Kacou Houadja Léon Adom attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and held talks with Foreign Minister Kamikawa.
In December, the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum was held in Côte d'Ivoire, where Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsumoto gave a speech to economic ministers from African countries and numerous private companies from Japan and Africa. The Vice-Minister also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Adom and visited the Shinzo Abe / Japan-Côte d'Ivoire Friendship Intersection, which was constructed with Japanese assistance, the new maternal and child health care annex of the University Hospital Center of Cocody, and the Centre for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education and Japanese Studies (Japan Corner) at the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, among other sites.
Côte d'Ivoire is scheduled to hold a presidential election in October 2025. To support the election, Japan signed and exchanged notes in October regarding the grant aid project “The Project for Preventing Conflicts related to Election and Promoting the Political Participation of Women and Vulnerable People (in cooperation with the UNDP).”
(7) Sierra Leone
President Julius Maada Bio, who was re-elected in 2023, has made food security, human resource development, youth support, and technology promotion his domestic policy priorities.
During the United Nations Security Council Ministerial Meeting held in New York in March, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Francess Piagie Alghali paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Kamikawa.
Japan and Sierra Leone signed and exchanged notes on assistance for improving agricultural productivity in May and on grant aid for food aid in August.
Also, Deputy Minister Alghali participated in the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and attended a working lunch with African female ministers hosted by Foreign Minister Kamikawa. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji held a meeting with Sierra Leone's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
(8) Senegal
In the presidential election held in March, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the opposition candidate, was elected for the first time. The vote was conducted peacefully without any major disturbance, highlighting the maturity of democracy in the country.
In January, Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation Doudou Ka, visited Japan and held talks with Foreign Minister Kamikawa. Japan and Senegal also signed and exchanged notes regarding grant aid in the fisheries sector.
In February, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Fukazawa met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad Ismaïla Madior Fall, during his visit to Ethiopia for the AU General Assembly.
In July, Japan signed and exchanged notes with Senegal regarding four grant aid projects in the fields of human resources development, health, landmine clearance, and food aid. In the same month, the JMSDF's training ships Kashima and Shimakaze called at the port of Dakar and conducted friendly drills with the Senegalese Navy.
Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs Yassine Fall attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August, where she participated in a working lunch with African female ministers hosted by Foreign Minister Kamikawa and held talks with her.
(9) Togo
In Togo, agriculture accounts for about 40% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), and about 70% of the workforce is employed in the sector.
In May, Japan signed and exchanged notes with Togo regarding the Economic and Social Development Program, a grant aid project to provide agricultural civil engineering equipment (tractors, bulldozers, etc.). Also, in August, notes were signed and exchanged regarding grant aid to provide food aid with Japanese government rice.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad Robert Dussey, attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and held talks with Foreign Minister Kamikawa.
(10) Nigeria
In August, protests broke out across the country against the backdrop of soaring prices, but reform efforts towards sustainable economic growth progressed, including the start of domestic supply of domestically refined gasoline in September.
Japan is providing assistance to communities in three northeastern states that are facing threats such as terrorism to enhance governance and provide support to improve access to basic health services.
In April, Foreign Minister Kamikawa visited Nigeria and held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar. She also exchanged views on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) with female executives of UN agencies and female displaced persons.
Minister Tuggar attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and held talks with Foreign Minister Kamikawa. The two sides shared the view to strengthen partnership in the economic field.
Japan-Nigeria Foreign Ministers' Meeting (August 23, Tokyo)
(11) Niger
Following the military takeover of power in July 2023, Japan is calling for efforts toward the early restoration of constitutional order in Niger, while providing support through international organizations to improve the humanitarian situation.
(12) Burkina Faso
Following the military takeovers of power in January 2022 and September that year, a transitional government was established and is working towards a transition to civilian rule. The security situation has seriously deteriorated, with frequent terrorist attacks and assaults occurring in rural areas, resulting in a large number of internally displaced persons.
To contribute to the improvement of the humanitarian situation, Japan signed and exchanged notes with Burkina Faso, regarding grant assistance for food aid in October. In particular, Japan is also working to provide assistance to internally displaced persons through food aid with Japanese government rice.
(13) Benin
As terrorist groups in the Sahel region move south, enhancing security measures in northern Benin has become an urgent task.
Japan is deepening bilateral relations through infrastructure development, industrial promotion, and improving the living environment of its people. Also, Japan is supporting Benin's green growth efforts through cooperation in the electricity sector.
In July, Minister of Economy and Finance Romuald Wadagni visited Japan and met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Olushegun Adjadi Bakari attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and held talks with Foreign Minister Kamikawa.
(14) Mali
Following the military takeovers of power in August 2020 and May 2021, a transitional government was established and is working towards a transition to civilian rule. Even after the withdrawal of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), terrorism, attacks and clashes have occurred frequently, particularly in the north and east, and the security and humanitarian situation has worsened.
Japan is providing cooperation in areas such as education and food security to promote peace, stability, and sustainable growth in Mali.
(15) Liberia
President Joseph Nyumah Boakai took office in January. Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Fukazawa attended the presidential inauguration ceremony that month as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy and paid a courtesy calls on the president and Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Sylvester M. Grigsby.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Sara Beysolow Nyanti attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and held talks with Foreign Minister Kamikawa.
Japan has been supporting efforts to address development challenges by developing quality infrastructure and other efforts. Also, in September, Japan signed and exchanged notes on grant aid for food aid.
(16) Mauritania
While being located in the Sahel region, where politics and security are becoming increasingly unstable, there have been no terrorist attacks since 2011 in Mauritania, and its government continues to be relatively stable.
A presidential election was held in June and President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani was re-elected.
Japan has continuously provided assistance such as food aid, and in addition to its long-standing cooperation in the fisheries sector, Japan is also supporting the country's development through cooperation in the agricultural sector.
Mauritania served as the AU chair in 2024. In April, Foreign Minister Kamikawa held a bilateral meeting with Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad, during her visit to Italy. Also, Minister Merzoug acted as the co-chair of the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Kamikawa. During the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum held in Côte d'Ivoire in December, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsumoto met with Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, Responsible for the Budget Codioro Moussa N'Guenore.