At the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), held in Yokohama in August 2025, the Japanese government proposed the “Indian Ocean–Africa Economic Zone Initiative.” This initiative aims to promote intra-African integration and industrial development in the Indian Ocean–Africa region—which has the potential to become a hub of global economic growth—by collaborating with Indian Ocean nations, including India and countries in the Middle East, while also seeking to expand trade and investment between Japanese companies and Africa.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is currently conducting a “Survey to Gather Information and Verify Details Regarding the Implementation of the Indian Ocean–Africa Economic Zone Initiative” with the aim of bringing this initiative to fruition.
The purpose of this forum is to share with Japanese companies the insights gained through this survey that will contribute to their expansion into Africa, to introduce the Japanese government’s policy initiatives aimed at supporting such expansion, and to solicit feedback from Japanese companies and other stakeholders.
We also aim to provide networking opportunities that will lead to new collaborations and relationships among Japanese companies and stakeholders.
Date and Time: Friday, October 30, 2026, 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. (Networking Session: 6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.)
Location: JICA Takebashi, 9th Floor Open Meeting Area (Takebashi Godo Building, 1-4-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Format: Hybrid event (in-person and online)
Estimated number of in-person participants: Approximately 50 Japanese companies
Language: Japanese
Participation Fee: Free
How to Register: If you would like to participate, please complete your registration via the link below. (Registration deadline: Monday, October 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (JST))
Africa Business Forum: Expanding into Africa by Leveraging Indian Ocean Partnerships – Registration Form – Fill out the form
・Companies, organizations, and other entities interested in expanding into Africa
4:00–4:05 p.m. Opening Remarks: Remarks from JICA’s Africa Department 4:05–4:30 p.m. Keynote Address: A presentation on the growth of the African market, challenges facing Japanese companies entering the market, and the characteristics of successful Japanese companies 4:30–4:55 p.m. Research Report: An interim report on the findings from the Boston Consulting Group, which is conducting the “Survey to Gather Information and Verify the Implementation of the Indian Ocean–Africa Economic Zone Initiative,” led by JICA; an interim report on the survey results will be presented 17:00–17:55 Panel Discussion: A panel discussion featuring several Japanese companies that have taken the lead in expanding into Africa, discussing the background of their expansion and factors for success 17:55 –6:00 p.m. Closing Remarks: Remarks by JICA’s Africa Department 6:00–7:00 p.m. Networking: Networking among speakers and participants (booths for related organizations will also be set up)
*The list of speakers is subject to change.
*Program details are subject to change.
Nobuhide Matsubara, Planning and TICAD Promotion Division, JICA Africa Department
© Source JICA