South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on Japan to ease trade restrictions on African exports, citing the need for diversified market access in the wake of escalating US tariff measures that have disrupted African trade flows.
Speaking at a plenary session on the economic dimension of the Africa–Japan partnership on Thursday, Ramaphosa said recent tariff actions by the US on African products “have highlighted the need to diversify our export markets.”
“We call on our Japanese counterparts to support tariff cooperation to ease market access for African goods,” Ramaphosa said at the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama.
He said the continent would appreciate Japanese support to enable it to respond proactively to global economic uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics.
“Africa is not seeking aid. It is seeking partners. Partners that understand value co-creation, sustainable development and mutual industrialisation,” the South African leader said.
The appeal comes as African exporters face mounting pressure from recent US tariff actions, including increased duties on automotive components, textiles and agricultural goods.
Analysts warn that these measures – part of a broader protectionist shift in US trade policy – could undermine Africa’s industrialisation agenda and stall progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Ramaphosa outlined South Africa’s efforts to reposition its economy, including stabilising energy supply, modernising infrastructure and opening ports and rail to private investment.
He highlighted a reindustrialisation strategy focused on green energy, localisation and regional integration, alongside targeted incentives for electric vehicles, battery production and green hydrogen value chains.
He urged Japanese firms to view South Africa as a continental industrial platform for export into Africa and called for deeper cooperation in infrastructure, energy, digital development and youth innovation through blended finance.
JN/APA