Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to unveil a major infrastructure initiative to fast-track development of the Nacala Corridor at this week’s 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).
The Nacala Corridor is a strategic logistics network linking Zambia to the port of Nacala in Mozambique via Malawi.
The corridor is designed to enhance mineral supply chains from Zambia, a key producer of copper and cobalt, by offering a more direct export route to Asia compared to traditional ports in western Africa.
Japan has supported the corridor’s development since 2012 and Ishiba is set to pledge expanded assistance through a combination of official development aid, private sector investment and multilateral financing.
According to reports monitored here on Monday, the initiative will focus on upgrading highways and water infrastructure to stimulate industrial growth and regional value addition.
The infrastructure push forms part of Japan’s broader strategy to deepen economic ties with Africa, India and the Middle East.
Officials say the corridor will also help Japanese firms expand trade and investment in southern Africa, positioning Tokyo to compete more effectively with Beijing’s growing footprint on the continent.
TICAD 2025, which will run from Wednesday to Friday in Yokohama, will feature high-level meetings, symposiums and bilateral discussions.
In a related initiative, the Japan International Cooperation Agency is expected to use the conference to announce the designation of four Japanese cities as “hometowns” for African partner nations to foster grassroots exchanges.
According to the reports, Nagai (in Japan’s Yamagata prefecture) will be paired with Tanzania, Kisarazu (Chiba prefecture) with Nigeria, Sanjo (Niigata prefecture) with Ghana and Imabari (Ehime prefecture) with Mozambique.
TICAD was first launched in 1993 to promote African development through international cooperation. The previous edition was held in Tunisia in 2022.
JN/APA