Japan has committed to helping the East African Community (EAC) use technology to boost trade and integration across the region.
The pledge came during a high-level meeting in Tokyo between Mr. Teraoka Mitsuhiro, Director General of the Customs and Tariff Bureau at Japan’s Ministry of Finance, and the EAC Deputy Secretary General, Hon. Annette Ssemuwemba.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD 9), centered on modernizing customs and trade processes. Both parties discussed deepening cooperation in digital trade, capacity building, and using new technologies to improve the efficiency of cross-border trade.
Hon. Ssemuwemba emphasized the need for these partnerships. “The integration of digital solutions into trade processes is no longer optional—it is imperative for unlocking the full potential of intra-regional and international trade,” she said.
Mr. Mitsuhiro praised the EAC for its progress in regional integration and confirmed Japan’s continued support, especially in areas that match its trade and international cooperation goals.
This new commitment builds on the long-standing collaboration between Japan and the EAC. Since 2007, Japan has actively supported the EAC through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on various customs, trade, and infrastructure projects.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of collaboration between Africa and its development partners under the TICAD framework, which focuses on shared goals for trade, infrastructure, and digital innovation. The EAC’s participation in TICAD 9 reaffirms its dedication to building strategic partnerships to advance its regional integration agenda.
ABJ/APA