Recommendations by JapanAfrica Business Forum 2021 Tokyo
Principles on “Integrate Africa”
for enhancing mutual trade andinvestment between Japan andAfrica
1.

Trade and Investment
1.1.
African governments need to make concrete efforts to realize the principles of the African
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
1.2.
African governments must prioritize specific fields namely, customs regulations, for efficient customs
clearance systems; effective border operations through AUDA-NEPAD MoveAfrica One-Stop-BorderPost Initiative; quality Infrastructure development, to advance value chains to enable export
development and diversification; trade finance; energy; and IT, to contribute to major economic
growth and development of Africa.
1.3.
Regional FDI should be developed based on the successful experience of ASEAN countries which
would enhance regional trade and investment.
1.4.
Japanese companies should consider bilateral investments and investments beyond national
borders leading to regional trade and investment.
1.5.
African companies and corporations should become part of Japan’s innovation and entrepreneur
ecosystem.
1.6.
As Japanese companies are affected by the weak trade facilitation in the Continent, tariff
liberalization and harmonization are essential.
1.7.
African Governments should make effective interventions to boost intra-African trade through bothindustrial and non-industrial products, utilizing tax reduction specifically outside of its regional
economic zones.

2.

Regional Integration
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4

2.5

The creation of a platform for increased involvement by the Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
are essential for the achievement of greater integration and the attainment of the objectives of
AfCFTA through increased efficiency and effectiveness of the regional economies.
African countries need to design a mechanism to integrate, coordinate, cooperate and align theirdevelopment agenda with the relevant RECs with the view to achieving regional integration.
African Countries should legitimatise trade, by Introducing protective measures to enable effective
supply chain processes, to eradicate security breaches by criminal and terrorist organizations.
Through the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the experiences during Japan’s Meiji
era in successfully industrializing and modernizing the Japanese society, African Industries can adapt
to emerging building regional strategies for industrialization without the dependence of external
powers for its subsistence in the areas of agro-processing, mining, pharmaceuticals, consumer andcapital goods and services.
Through market expansion with the growth of population and expectations for the African
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), there is a need for improved business infrastructure conditions
such as the AUDA-NEPAD One-Stop-Border Post initiative and its Traffic Light System (TLS) for efficientand effective cross-border facilitation and clearance, to enable ease of doing business by Japanesecompanies in Africa.

Recommendations by JapanAfrica Business Forum 2021 Tokyo
Principles on “Integrate Africa”
for enhancing mutual trade andinvestment between Japan andAfrica
3.

Japan/Africa Relations
3.1
3.2

3.3
3.4

3.5
3.6

4.

Japanese companies should be a steady, long-term partner for Africa’s industrial and commercial
development for regional expansion and promote innovation.
Through the expertise of existing and potential Japanese businesses in Africa, the role of remanufacturing parts is essential to supply parts using appropriate pricing and lead time andmaximize production of natural resources in Africa.
The need to explore opportunities to manufacture goods are important for Continental market
access to better reallocation of raw material and intermediary goods.
In order for Japanese companies to be able to expand their business and engage in the AfCFTA,
African governments need to focus on improving the business environment conducive to increased
trade and investment, taking into consideration the regional dimensions.
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) through the TICAD process is an important modality to make African
governments aware of the requirements of Japanese companies.
Japan should continue and even enhance her commitment to advancing trade and investment
opportunities, as well as innovation and entrepreneurship between the African private and publicsectors.

Trade Policies
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5

4.6

4.7

There is the need for preparation of evidence-informed research that help inform government
negotiations.
Effective Japan-Africa Economic Dialogues require strong coordination among governments, stateinstitutions, and the private sector.
The simplification of trade and investment policy is needed to influence industrial and private sector
development for growth, jobs, and wealth redistribution.
It is essential to Involve and equip the private sector to participate in consultations on policies thataffect them.
There is a need for strengthened border management systems in Africa and AfCFTA to consider
building a specific task force to discuss illegal trade issues and introduce countermeasures against
counterfeit products.
The governments and other relevant authorities should make every effort to create the barriers toeliminate illegal commodities such as tobacco and medicine trade, through collective measuresby industry and sector associations, to enhance the cooperation and collaboration with competentauthorities such as the Customs Administration.
A Continental Simplified Trade Regime should be established in support of informal cross-border
trade for women and youth. Job creation for them is essential for vigorous economic growth anddevelopment in African countries. Such business opportunities and job creation should be beyond
the national requirement and the free movement of these populations should be encouraged
through the AfCFTA processes.