Japan proposes 'economic zone' linking Indian Ocean to Africa; seeks greater role in the region

Japan proposes 'economic zone' linking Indian Ocean to Africa; seeks greater role in the region


Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday proposed an economic zone connecting the Indian Ocean to Africa as the country seeks to play a greater role in the African continent while America's presence there decreases and China's influence rapidly grows. Ishiba, kicking off the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), pledged to strengthen business and investment in the region and promote free trade by connecting the Indian Ocean region to the African continent. Guterres said “unjust and unfair international financial architecture" must enhance African representation and endorse a strong African voice in the decision-making process, adding that building AI capacity in developing countries in Africa would help ease digital divide in the region.


Published at: 2025-08-20 21:34:02

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