UNIDO ITPO Tokyo held the online seminar titled “Investment and Technology Promotion for Industrial Development in Africa under AfCFTA”, to discuss how to facilitate and promote trade, investment, and technology transfer, in particular from Japan, for industrial development in Africa under AfCFTA, on November 22nd, 2021.

This event was originally planned as a side event of the AU Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification. Although the Summit has been postponed to 2022, UNIDO ITPO Tokyo held this event as planned to celebrate the African Industrialization Day/Week 2021.

A video message for Africa Industrialization Week 2021 by UNIDO Director General Mr. Li Yong was presented at the opening. He emphasized that it is now time to take action to transform Africa’s economic structure towards the realization of inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Africa.

Then, three experts gave keynote speeches. Dr. Katsumi Hirano, Executive Senior Research Fellow, IDE-JETRO, mentioned that although Japan is the world’s largest contributor of foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly FDI to the African continent has been very small. He suggested the possibility of a new investment approach, such as utilizing joint ventures, M&A, or start-ups, and focusing on the IT industry could trigger an expansion of Japanese businesses in Africa. Mr. Mansur Ahmed, the interim Chairman of the Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA), said that AfCFTA’s opportunities are not limited to trade promotion, but it would also strengthen the manufacturing industry’s competitiveness of the whole African region in the global market. Additionally, He said AfCFTA is an opportunity to transform its import-dependent economic structure. He concluded by introducing the African market attractiveness as an investment destination for Japanese companies. Prof. Izumi Ohno, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), made the last keynote speech. She emphasized the importance of policymaking in industrial development and showed Japanese experiences in providing policy-related and practical support, such as the KAIZEN project which JICA has carried out in many countries.

A panel discussion moderated by Mr. Yuko Yasunaga, Head, UNIDO ITPO Tokyo, welcomed seven panelists and they exchanged ideas and opinions for the realization of industrialization in Africa. Mr. Ryuichi Kato, Vice President, JICA, introduced JICA’s main three areas of support for the progress of AfCFTA: 1) capacity building, 2) regional integration, 3) improvement of productivity and competitiveness (specifically, support for SMEs, delivering KAIZEN project and vocational training). Ms. Solange Amichia, Director General, CEPICI, introduced the new development plan (2021-2025) in Côte d’Ivoire and made a point that the main priority is agro-based industries. She also showed her expectation as a contribution from Japan would be inventing new seeds, mechanization and automation, and providing IT solutions. Mr. David Ofosu-Dorte, AfroChampions, explained the purpose of “Trillion Dollar Framework” by AfroChampions is to put private companies at the center of the AfCFTA discussion and promote governance over investment and individual policies in Africa. He also stressed AfCFTA has an important role in Africa’s growth and industrialization. Mr. Toshikazu Otani, Executive Officer, ITOCHU Corporation, expressed their favorable thoughts for AfCFTA’s implementation from a private company’s perspective. He revealed their expectations for new opportunities and emphasized the success of AfCFTA depends on the efforts of individual African countries and the importance of working and collaborating towards the industrialization of the regional economic community and Africa as a whole.

Subsequently, Dr. Katsumi Hirano pointed out that most Japanese private sectors currently do not have an established value chain in Africa, and in order for Japanese companies to their a successful expansion in Africa, they need to globalize and it is essential for them to participate in the African business network. Prof. Izumi Ohno suggests that some of the previous experiences of successful industrialization in Japan and other Asian countries will be useful for the industrialization of Africa if those are tailored to fit in the African context. Besides, she emphasized the need for development cooperation organizations to support those companies which keen to expand their business in Africa. Finally, Mr. Mansur Ahmed highlighted, there are 40 million or even more SMEs in Africa, and it is crucial to include them in the discussion of African economic growth. He explained that most of them are informal and run by individuals and families, so it is difficult for them to access funds and finance from formal financial institutions. Furthermore, SMEs are not able to participate in formal trade. In the future, by aggregating those SMEs, they would be able to standardize product quality and co-organize procedures like packaging or import/export, so that it is expected that domestic industries and intra-Africa trade will be activated and formalized. He also expressed his hopes for the Japanese government and UNIDO to support the development of this area.

In the closing remarks, Mr. Victor Djemba, Chief, Regional Coordination Division – Africa, UNIDO, delivered his gratitude to the panelists and participants and remarked that UNIDO will continue to actively involve and commit to industrialization of Africa. He also expressed this event is just the beginning and we need to continue working together to strengthen trade and investment between Japan and Africa. He hopes to continue further discussions at the African Union Summit to be held next year.

Outline

Date/Time:   November 22nd, 2021 (Monday) 18:00-19:30 (JST)/10:00-11:30(CET)
Venue: 　　  Zoom
Organizer: 　United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Co-organizer:  AUC
Language: 　English (simultaneous interpretation into French)

Programme

(JST/CET)
18:00/10:00　　 Opening Remarks
Video message by UNIDO DG LI Yong on the occasion of the Africa Industrialization Week 2021

18:10/10:10　　Keynote Presentations
Dr. Katsumi Hirano, Executive Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO)
　”Japan as a investor: Japan’s Africa business in a new era”
Mr. Mansur Ahmed, Executive Director at Dangote Group & President Pan Africa Manufacturers Association
　”AfCFTA to promote trade and investment in Manufacturing Industries”
Prof. Izumi Ohno, Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
　”Economic Development and Industrial Policy for Promoting Manufacturing Industries in Africa “

18:40/10:40　　 Panel: Investment and Technology Promotion for Industrial Development in Africa under AfCFTA
Moderator: Mr. Yuko Yasunaga, Head, UNIDO ITPO Tokyo
Panelists:
Dr. Katsumi Hirano, Executive Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO)
Prof. Izumi Ohno, Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
Mr. Ryuichi Kato, Vice President, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Mr. Toshikazu Otani, Managing Executive Officer, Chief Executive for Africa, ITOCHU Corporation
Mr. David Ofosu-Dorte, Senior Partner, AB&David, AfroChampions Initiative
Ms. Solange Amichia, Director General, Centre de Promotion des Investissements de Côte d’Ivoire (CEPICI)
Mr. Mansur Ahmed, Executive Director at Dangote Group & President Pan Africa Manufacturers Association

19:25/11:25　　 Closing remarks
Mr. Victor Djemba, Chief, Regional Coordination Division – Africa, UNIDO

Contact for inquiries

　Ms. Imazu/ Ms. Onozaki, UNIDO ITPO Tokyo
　 E-mail: [email protected]

Speakers and panelists 

	Dr. Katsumi Hirano, Executive Senior Research Fellow, IDE-JETRO Dr. Hirano is Executive Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO). His specialization includes Africa Studies and Development Economics. former Vice President of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) during 2015-2019 in charge of African affairs, conducting JETRO events at TICAD 6 and TICAD 7.
	Mr. Mansur Ahmed, Executive Director at Dangote Group Engineer Ahmed is a Group Executive Director at Dangote Group, Africa’s largest conglomerate with operations in over 14 Countries and still expanding. He is also the current President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the interim Chairman of the Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA) As well as the Vice President of the Africa Business Council. In his capacity as the President, MAN, he provides strategic leadership as Chairman of the National Council of the Association, which represents over 3000 Nigerian Manufacturers across all sectors.
	Prof. Izumi OHNO, Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies Izumi Ohno is Professor of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), in Japan. She is also Senior Research Advisor to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ogata Research Institute for Peace and Development. She specializes in international development policy, industrial development cooperation, and business and development. Prior to joining GRIPS in 2002, she worked at JICA, the World Bank, and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). During Oct. 2018-Sept. 2020, she also served as Director of the JICA Ogata Research Institute. Her recent co-edited books include Industrial Human Resource Development in Developing Countries: Knowledge and Skills in the Era of SDGs (with S. Yamada, 2021, Nippon Hyoron Sha).
	Mr. Yuko YASUNAGA, Head, UNIDO ITPO Tokyo Mr. Yasunaga has had an extensive career with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), with expertise in the areas of natural resources and industrial science/technology development. From 2015 to 2017, Mr. Yasunaga was Vice-President of Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) after working as Deputy Director-General responsible for the Ministry’s innovation policy. Mr. Yasunaga holds a M.Eng. in Resource Development Engineering from the University of Tokyo, a M.Sc. in Mineral Economics, from the Colorado School of Mines, USA, and a Ph.D., from the University of Tokyo.
	Mr. Ryuichi KATO, Vice President, JICA Since joining JICA in 1987, Mr.  Kato has served in various positions, including the Planning Department and the General Affairs Department, and before assuming his current post in 2020, he was Director General of the Africa Department. He has extensive working experience in Francophone Africa, including his tenure as Deputy Resident Representative in the Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal Office (2002-2006), and as Chief Representative in the Senegal Office (2012-2016). As a reward for his dedication, he was awarded ‘Officier de l’Ordre National du Lion’ from the Government of Senegal in 2016. He is passionate about running and has so far completed over 20 full marathons.
	Ms. Solange Amichia, Director General, CEPICI Ms, Solange Amichia is Director General at CEPICI, Investment Promotion Agency of Côte d’Ivoire, where she leads Promotion and attraction of Investments and Improving business environment through reforms. She has over 20 years of experience in Investment banking, Management, Project Management, Governance and Information System. Ms. Amichia visited Japan and conducted meetings with Japanese companies under the Delegate Programme hosted by UNIDO ITPO Tokyo in 2014.
	Mr. David Ofosu-Dorte, Senior Partner, AB&David David Ofosu-Dorte has worked in both the public and private sector for a period spanning over twenty-five (25) years. He has immense transaction experience and has led several assignments. David is experienced in handling high-end projects and financings. Sources describe him as a pioneering lawyer in the field of public-private partnerships, and say he is “highly regarded” (IFLR 1000, 2020) and ”… a highly esteemed figure … who earns recognition for his diverse commercial practice.” (Chambers Global 2020).
	Mr. Toshikazu OTANI, Executive Officer, ITOCHU Corporation Mr. Otani, Executive Officer, Chief Executive for Africa of ITOCHU Corporation, draws over 30 years of a successful career and experience in one of the largest Japanese trading and investment companies. Previously, he serves concurrently General Manager of Johannesburg Branch of ITOCHU Corporation and Managing Director of ITOCHU Nigeria Ltd. In Africa. He also assumed various posts such as General Manager of Marine Products Department in Tokyo, President of PT. ANEKA TUNA INDONESIA , Manager of Planning & administration Section, Fresh Food Division in Tokyo.
	Mr. Victor Djemba, Chief, Regional Coordination Division – Africa, UNIDO Mr. Victor DIWANDJA DJEMBA is Chief of Regional Coordination Division – Africa. Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Djemba served as the UNIDO Representative in Senegal, covering Cabo-Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania. Mr. Djemba is a graduate in Electromechanical engineering from the “Ecole Nationale Supérieure Polytechnique (ENSP)” of Yaoundé, Cameroon, and holds a Master’s in Industrial systems engineering and a Postgraduate Research Degree (DEA) in Industrial systems and innovation management from the “Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine (INPL)”, France.