There are at least 350 Japanese companies doing African business. The actual number of such companies may be far higher. African business ranges wide from resources and infrastructure development to business-to-consumer services for the middle-class market, business-to-business services for supporting emerging business operations in Africa, bringing unique African products to Japan, and business and economic operations involving African development assistance.

As Japan’s African business plunged into a shrinkage/withdrawal stage in the 1990s, African business for many Japanese companies is now in an initiation or reconstruction phase. Many of them may be searching for or trying to establish business models to overcome initial challenges, settle down, continue and expand operations, and boost profit.

In this phase, some companies’ business operations may have great impacts on others’ operations, leading to the establishment of new value chains. Success stories in some areas may contribute to creating and improving business models in other areas. Some companies’ voluntary provision of available information to others and companies‟ sharing of information through third parties may lead to creating a business community. Their competition and information-sharing may help create, form or establish various business operations that can be suitable for Japanese people and companies.

This section will provide specific cases of Japanese companies doing business in Africa, based on introductions by people engaging in Africa-related companies and business, and voluntary information provision by those participating in African business. We would like to welcome the proactive provision of business expansion information by large companies with spillover effects on other business operations and to provide any attention-attracting cases of foreign companies.

Overviews of Africa Business Partners

List of Japanese companies involved in African business

Activities of Japanese enterprises

AJINOMOTO CO., INC “The journey in Africa”　(in Japanese)

(Reprinted from THE AFRICA SOCIETY OF JAPAN’s organ “AFRICA” autumn issue of 2013)

AJINOMOTO CO., INC “Business strategy for co-creation of value”

(Reprinted from “The International Development Journal” Issued in September 2012)

(Provided on 15 January 2014)

Komatsu Ltd. ” Developing market with considerable support” (in Japanese)

(Reprinted from Nikkei BP mook “African Business” (edited by Nikkei Business), issued on 5 September 2013)

NEC Corporation “NEC’s African business“　(in Japanese)

(Provided on 21 January 2014)

Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Approaching India by3-person bike”　(in Japanese)

(Reprinted from Nikkei BP mook “African Business”(edited by Nikkei Business), issued on 5 September 2013)

SHIMADZU CORPORATION “Establishment of laboratory where we can experience performance”　(in Japanese)

(Reprinted from Nikkei BP mook “African Business”(edited by Nikkei Business), issued on 5 September 2013)

Japan Tobacco Inc. “JT group’s business development in Africa”　(in Japanese)

(Provided on 4 January 2014)

Japan Tobacco Inc. “Building up a monopolized market by proactive M&A”　(in Japanese)

(Reprinted from Nikkei BP mook “African Business” (edited by Nikkei Business), issued on 5 September 2013)

PILOT Corporation “Challenge with 30 yen pens created by apartheid”　(in Japanese)

(Reprinted from Nikkei BP mook “African Business” (edited by Nikkei Business), issued on 5 September 2013)

Kaneka Corporation “Keep China away by various ‘wigs’”　(in Japanese)

(Reprinted from Nikkei BP mook  “African Business” (edited by Nikkei Business), issued on 5 September 2013)

NTT Corporation “‘Rough stone’ of next generation service that found by NTT in south Africa”　(in Japanese)

(Reprinted from Nikkei BP mook  “African Business” (edited by Nikkei Business), issued on 5 September 2013)

Panasonic Corporation “Lighting and charger for unelectrified area, and deliver our brand”　(in Japanese)

(Reprinted from Nikkei BP mook  “African Business” (edited by Nikkei Business), issued on 5 September 2013)

Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited “Teach basics of manufacturing by Origami”　(in Japanese)

(Reprinted from Nikkei BP mook  “African Business” (edited by Nikkei Business), issued on 5 September 2013)

GS Yuasa Corporation “Solar powered mobile phone charger”　(in Japanese)

(Reprinted from Nikkei BP mook  “African Business” (edited by Nikkei Business), issued on 5 September 2013)

Marubeni Corporation “Marubeni’s African business”　(in Japanese)

(Provided on 2 December 2013)

Sakata Seed Corporation “Start of promotion activities to knock down the barrier of racial discrimination”　(in Japanese)

(Reprinted from Nikkei BP mook  “African Business” (edited by Nikkei Business), issued on 5 September 2013)

RHEON Automatic Machinery co.,ltd. “secured and safe food culture for newly developing countries”　(in Japanese)

(Reprinted from “International Development Journal”, issued in September 2013)