Currently, at least 350 Japanese companies are considered to involve in business in Africa; the actual number of such companies might be even higher. There are wide range of African business such as resources and infrastructure development, business-to-consumer services for the middle-class market, business-to-business services to support emerging business operations in Africa, trade to bring unique African products to Japan and economic operations to assist development of Africa.

As Japan’s business in Africa plunged into the shrinkage/withdrawal stage in the 1990s, many Japanese companies need to go through the initiation or reconstruction phase. Many of them might be searching for or trying to establish business models to overcome their initial challenges, settle down, expand operations, and boost profit.

In such initial phase, business operations of some companies may have a huge impact on operations of others. For instance, an operation in one area can result in the establishment of new value chains or the creation of business models in different areas. Voluntary provision of information as well as information sharing through third parties can contribute to the formation of a business community. As a result, such information sharing as well as competition can lead to the creation and consequent establishment of business suitable for Japanese and Japanese corporations.

This section will introduce specific examples of Japanese corporations currently involving in African business with their voluntary cooperation in information provision. While introducing remarkable case studies of foreign corporations, we will welcome you to share your stories about your business development in Africa.

Monthly update of Japanese companies activities in Africa (from Africa Business Partners) (in Japanese)

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)

Komatsu Ltd. “Creating African tomorrow -Activity of Komatsu” (in Japanese)

(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)