Ramaphosa Calls for New Africa–Japan Economic Pact Built on Shared Prosperity

“Africa is not seeking aid. It is seeking partners. Partners that understand value co-creation, sustainable development and mutual industrialisation,” Ramaphosa declared.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged Japan and other global partners to embrace a fresh, reimagined approach to working with Africa—one rooted not in aid or dependency, but in genuine collaboration, value co-creation, and long-term industrial growth.

Delivering remarks during Plenary Session 2 on the Economy at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, on Thursday, President Ramaphosa stressed that Africa is determined to play an active role in shaping the global economy rather than passively responding to international trends.

Africa’s Call for Partnership, Not Aid

“Africa is not seeking aid. It is seeking partners. Partners that understand value co-creation, sustainable development and mutual industrialisation,” Ramaphosa declared.

He argued that the continent has reached a turning point in its development trajectory, with a young population, untapped resources, and growing integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) positioning Africa as a critical player in global supply chains.

According to Ramaphosa, this moment comes at a time of global trade realignments, technological disruptions, and climate-linked industrial shifts. “We gather at a critical time, where global economic uncertainty, the reshaping of trade and new industrial revolutions demand bold action and strategic collaboration. Africa must not merely react to these forces. We must help to shape them,” he said.

South Africa’s Reindustrialisation Agenda

Ramaphosa highlighted South Africa’s own progress in advancing structural reforms to support growth and industrialisation.

• Energy Stability: Efforts are underway to stabilise the power grid and expand renewable generation to ensure reliable energy supply for industries and households.

• Infrastructure Modernisation: The government is opening ports and rail networks to greater private investment, aimed at improving efficiency and boosting trade logistics.

• Green Economy Initiatives: South Africa is actively incentivising investment in electric vehicles, battery production, and green hydrogen value chains. Infrastructure and skills programmes are being aligned to support these new industries.

• Health Manufacturing: The country is expanding its pharmaceutical and biotech capacity, particularly in vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, to reduce reliance on imports.

• Digital Transformation: South Africa is also investing heavily in digital infrastructure to bridge access divides, enhance service delivery, and create opportunities for digital entrepreneurship.

AfCFTA as Africa’s Growth Backbone

Central to South Africa’s strategy is the African Continental Free Trade Area, which brings together 54 countries into the world’s largest single market by membership. Ramaphosa emphasised that South Africa seeks to be an industrial hub for global firms, including Japanese companies, aiming to expand into Africa.

He noted ongoing collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat on value-chain development in automotive, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Harmonising Rules of Origin, he argued, will be crucial in fostering manufacturing growth across the continent.

Additionally, border infrastructure upgrades are being prioritised to ensure the faster movement of goods and reduce the cost of doing business across African states.

Diversifying Global Trade Links

The President pointed to recent U.S. tariff measures on African goods as a reminder of the need for diversification. South Africa, a leading exporter of agricultural produce, vehicles, and industrial components, is pushing to broaden market access beyond traditional partners.

“We call on our Japanese counterparts to support tariff cooperation to ease market access for African goods,” Ramaphosa said, framing Japan as a vital strategic partner for Africa’s economic resilience.

Beyond Trade: Financing Africa’s Future

Ramaphosa stressed that cooperation must extend beyond trade deals into infrastructure, energy, digital transformation, and human capital investment. He advocated for blended finance mechanisms that combine public, private, and development funding to close Africa’s infrastructure gap.

“We seek partnerships in infrastructure, energy and digital development through blended finance. We also seek partnerships in financing skills development, youth innovation and small business scaling,” he added.

Africa and Japan at a Crossroads

TICAD, launched in 1993 by Japan, is a key platform for dialogue between Africa and Japan on development cooperation. At this year’s summit, leaders are expected to discuss industrialisation, green growth, and resilience amid global economic turbulence.

By urging a move away from donor–recipient dynamics towards co-created industrial ecosystems, Ramaphosa positioned Africa as an equal partner, capable of shaping the future of trade, technology, and sustainable growth.

The President arrived in Japan on Tuesday, leading South Africa’s high-level delegation to TICAD9 in Yokohama City, underlining Pretoria’s commitment to strengthening Africa–Japan economic ties at a critical juncture for global development.