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Ramaphosa tells Japan: Africa needs investment, not aid
A shift from aid to equal partnership
President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it clear: Africa is not looking for handouts. Speaking at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), he urged Japan and other global partners to move away from aid-based engagement and towards investment-driven collaboration. His message was simple but powerful: Africa is ready to shape its future, and it wants partners who believe in co-creation, sustainable growth, and mutual industrialisation.
The call drew strong reactions from delegates, highlighting how Africa’s leaders are increasingly positioning the continent as an investment destination rather than a passive recipient of aid.
South Africa’s reforms in focus
Ramaphosa used his address to showcase how South Africa is reforming its economy to create fertile ground for investors. He highlighted progress in stabilising the energy supply, modernising infrastructure, and opening up ports and railways to private sector participation.
These reforms, he explained, are aimed at re-industrialising the country through localisation, green energy, and regional integration. New industries such as electric vehicles, green hydrogen, health products, and digital infrastructure are at the centre of this push, offering clear opportunities for Japanese firms looking for scalable and sustainable ventures.
The role of AfCFTA
Ramaphosa positioned the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as central to Africa’s economic vision. South Africa, he said, can serve as a gateway for Japanese and global companies to access the continent’s growing markets.
He noted that South Africa is working closely with the AfCFTA Secretariat to finalise value-chain protocols in sectors like automotive manufacturing, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Efforts are also underway to harmonise rules of origin and upgrade border infrastructure, all of which are intended to make trade smoother and more efficient across the continent.
Diversifying trade in a turbulent world
In what many read as a veiled reference to the recent hike in US tariffs on African goods, Ramaphosa warned against the risks of over-reliance on single markets. He emphasised the importance of diversifying trade partnerships and called on Japan to support tariff cooperation that would ease market access for African exports.
The President also appealed for collaboration in infrastructure financing, digital transformation, skills development, and youth innovation, stressing that these areas are critical for building long-term prosperity.
A consistent message to the world
Ramaphosa’s remarks in Tokyo echo a position he has repeatedly advanced in global forums: Africa does not want to be seen as a continent of need but as a continent of opportunity.
“Let us work together not as donors and recipients, but as equal partners building a prosperous future,” he said, reaffirming South Africa’s stance that true development lies in sustainable investment and shared growth.
Also read: Ramaphosa Turns To Japan As US Tariffs Squeeze South Africa’s Economy
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Polity.org
