YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially arrived in Japan to lead South Africa’s high-level delegation at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). The summit, which will kick off in Yokohama on Wednesday, is set to deepen the strategic partnership between Japan and the African Union (AU), with a strong focus on trade, investment, peace, and sustainable development.
The TICAD summit is a critical platform for dialogue between African leaders and the Japanese government, as well as Japanese businesses. President Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of international cooperation and multilateralism in addressing shared global challenges.
“This summit takes place at a time when the world is facing numerous interconnected challenges—from economic uncertainty and climate change to security threats and public health concerns,” said Ramaphosa. “Now more than ever, multilateralism and collective solutions are crucial to securing a better future for all.”
According to the Presidency, Ramaphosa sees TICAD as a timely opportunity to engage with Japan on matters that are vital to Africa’s future, including industrial development, infrastructure investment, and human resource development.
Ramaphosa Highlights Trade, Investment, and Peace as Key Priorities
One of the primary goals of South Africa’s participation in TICAD is to boost economic cooperation between Africa and Japan. Japan remains one of South Africa’s key trading partners and a significant investor in the country’s economy.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya outlined the importance of these bilateral ties, noting that President Ramaphosa will engage directly with top Japanese business leaders during his visit.
“President Ramaphosa will engage with leading captains of Japanese industry and business,” said Magwenya. “Japan is one of South Africa’s major economic partners, with sizeable investments already established in our economy. There is strong potential for increased investment in sectors such as manufacturing, automotive, infrastructure, and renewable energy.”
South Africa is seeking to attract new foreign direct investment and promote exports, particularly in value-added goods. Ramaphosa’s focus at TICAD will also include fostering partnerships that support South Africa’s reindustrialization and localization agenda.
Beyond economic matters, peace and security are also high on the summit’s agenda. President Ramaphosa stressed that development cannot occur in the absence of peace, and that Africa’s progress is directly linked to efforts to resolve conflicts and promote stability on the continent.
He noted that TICAD offers a platform to discuss collective action and collaboration with Japan in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and post-conflict reconstruction.
“Peace and stability are essential foundations for sustainable development,” said Ramaphosa. “The African Union continues to play a leading role in addressing conflict across the continent, and our engagement with partners like Japan is key to enhancing those efforts.”
President Ramaphosa’s visit to Japan aligns with his broader foreign policy strategy to deepen ties with key global partners outside of the traditional Western sphere. Asia, and in particular Japan, is viewed as a vital player in global development, innovation, and investment.
Japan’s approach to development cooperation, which focuses on capacity-building, infrastructure, and technology transfer, aligns closely with South Africa’s national development goals and the AU’s Agenda 2063.
Ramaphosa’s participation in TICAD is also symbolic of South Africa’s commitment to the principles of international solidarity and partnership-based development.
During the summit, President Ramaphosa is expected to promote South Africa’s strengths as an investment destination. Key focus areas include the country’s industrial capacity, skilled workforce, and its strategic geographic location as a gateway to the rest of Africa.
South Africa’s economic recovery plan, which includes green energy investments, infrastructure upgrades, and digital transformation, will also be showcased to potential investors in Japan.
Ramaphosa will participate in various high-level meetings, business roundtables, and plenary sessions designed to foster dialogue between governments, business leaders, and civil society.
By leading the South African delegation to the TICAD summit, President Ramaphosa continues to reinforce his leadership on the African continent and globally. His focus on inclusive growth, sustainable development, and international cooperation aligns with South Africa’s vision for a better Africa and a better world.
As the summit unfolds in Yokohama, all eyes will be on Ramaphosa as he seeks to strengthen strategic partnerships and promote South Africa’s role in shaping Africa’s future through diplomacy, trade, and innovation.
Source- EWN
