18th May 2026
The AfCFTA Secretariat has strengthened its partnership with Japan following high-level discussions aimed at advancing the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a strong focus on trade facilitation and expanding digital trade opportunities for women and youth.
The meeting, held in Accra at the AfCFTA Secretariat headquarters, brought together senior Japanese officials led by Ambassador Hiroshi Yashimoto and Dr. Nobuharu Imanishi from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The engagement formed part of broader efforts to deepen Africa–Japan cooperation in support of Africa’s economic integration agenda.
Discussions focused on accelerating intra-African trade and improving the continent’s global competitiveness, with particular emphasis on digital trade as a tool for inclusive economic growth. Both sides underscored the importance of empowering women and young people through digital innovation, skills development, and better access to regional and continental markets.
The two sides also explored enhanced collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), especially in areas such as capacity building, trade infrastructure development, and technical assistance to support AfCFTA implementation. They further agreed on the importance of aligning AfCFTA priorities with Japan’s Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), particularly in industrialisation, innovation, infrastructure, and sustainable trade.
Officials from both Africa and Japan reaffirmed the importance of international partnerships in ensuring that AfCFTA delivers tangible economic benefits. The meeting concluded with a commitment to sustained dialogue and practical cooperation to support Africa’s integration, strengthen value chains, attract investment, and promote inclusive development across the continent.