Politics

24 September 2025
China said it will no longer seek any new "special and differential treatment" from developing-country status at the World Trade Organization.
United Nations Population Fund Acting Executive Director Diene Keita poses for a portrait after an interview on Aug. 20 in Yokohama. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Interview

Asia should promote choice on fertility, says UN Population Fund

A fifth of adults globally do not expect to have their desired number of children

3 September 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, center, speaks at a joint news conference in Yokohama on Aug. 22, following the conclusion of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development. (Photo by Sae Kamae) 
22 August 2025
The national flags of Japan, Kenya and China. The African country is turning to the two Asian economies for local-currency bond issues. (Source photos by Kosaku Mimura, AP and Mizuho Miyazaki)
Bonds

Kenya turns to Japan's samurai, China's panda bonds for financing

Under fiscal constraints, African nation seeks low-cost funds via Asian competitors

22 August 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at the Economic Partnership in Indian Ocean-Africa Forum in Yokohama on Aug. 20. (Photo by Akiyoshi Sugiura) 
International relations

Japan to strengthen ties with Africa via India, Middle East

Ishiba says economic zone plan aims to 'strengthen interregional connectivity'

20 August 2025
Motorcycle taxis in Nairobi. Japanese exports seek inroads into Africa's fast-growing consumer markets.
Trade

Japan eyes African trade deals to grow auto, other exports

Kenya, East African countries seen as 1st candidates for agreements

17 August 2025
Matsuo Lab held a two-day intensive lecture in July at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, the first of its kind in Africa. (Matsuo-Iwasawa Lab)
Artificial intelligence

Japan to train 30,000 African students in AI to spur development

University of Tokyo's Matsuo Lab will hold classes at 20-30 local colleges

16 August 2025
The Kenyan port of Mombasa is being improved with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
International relations

Japan to propose Africa-Indian Ocean logistics network for trade, resources

Tokyo plans to help build infrastructure, including roads and updating ports

15 August 2025
Solar panels in South Africa. Japan will launch a new program to help funds looking to address social issues while also earning returns.
Finance

Japan to attract private capital for lending and investing in Africa

Initiative to use credit guarantees to back development

14 August 2025
The Japanese government will support efforts by Japanese companies to cooperate with African businesses, on expectations of strong economic growth on the continent. (Photo by Keiichiro Asahara)
Politics

Japan to support companies moving into Africa

Venture capital firms to act as bridge between Japanese and local businesses

11 May 2025
Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, is due to meet with Kenyan counterpart William Ruto, left, and Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev a week after he toured Southeast Asia, tightening Beijing's ties with developing countries. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)
International relations

China woos trade war 'circle of friends' as Kenya, Azerbaijan leaders visit

Xi Jinping's outreach comes as U.S. wields tariffs and reins in aid

22 April 2025
Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, left, and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi with their delegations in Pamplemousses, Mauritius on March 11.
International relations

India respects Mauritian sovereignty over Chagos Islands, Modi says

London and Port Louis on brink of deal over fate of key U.K.-U.S. military base

12 March 2025
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent did not attend the Group of 20 finance ministers meeting in Cape Town ended Feb. 27.
International relations

G20 finance ministers fail to issue statement as U.S. skips meeting

Discussions center on protectionist threats amid high-profile absences

28 February 2025
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi , left, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attend a meeting during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, Aug. 2023. 
Opinion

India and Japan are natural partners for Africa's development

African governments need alternatives to investments from China

11 February 2025
Among Japanese companies operating overseas, 57% reported plans for African expansion over the next one to two years in a recent survey.
International relations

Japan to guarantee private-sector loans, investments in Africa

Assistance aims to lower financial risk of doing business on the continent

24 January 2025
Basic needs of people in Gaza must be secured before reconstruction, Egypt's finance minister said.
Middle East crisis

Gaza ceasefire must be backed by humanitarian aid: Egypt finance chief

Ahmed Kouchouk says Suez Canal income cut by more than half since conflict began

18 January 2025
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, shakes hands with Chadian President Mahamat Deby in N'Djamena on Jan. 8. (China Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
International relations

China's Wang Yi offers Africa aid against terrorism

Beijing to help train military personnel and police officers

11 January 2025
Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank, in his interview with Nikkei. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura)
Interview

'Buy Africa,' development bank president tells risk-shy Japan

Adesina argues region not being assessed fairly, including by ratings agencies

2 November 2024
U.K.-based Chagos Islanders protest outside parliament over the planned ceding of sovereignty of the islands by Britain to Mauritius on Oct. 7.
Opinion

Colonialist past hangs over U.K. return of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

Open and honest dialogue on self-determination remains crucial for many places

9 October 2024
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing on Sept. 5.
Belt and Road

China pledges billions in fresh Africa aid despite debt concerns

Xi offers slew of support to visiting leaders, including training for security forces

5 September 2024
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose with leaders from African nations ahead of a dinner reception for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing on Sept. 4.
International relations

Xi says 2.8bn Chinese and Africans can modernize Global South together

Unbalanced ties, debt concerns loom over gathering of leaders in Beijing

4 September 2024
Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks at the Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali on Sept. 2. (Photo courtesy of Indonesia's foreign ministry)
International relations

Indonesia vows to 'defend interests of Global South' at Africa forum

Jokowi aims for $3.5bn in business deals at 3-day gathering in Bali

2 September 2024
Gerd Mueller, director-general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, spoke with Nikkei on July 8. (Photo by Shigeru Seno)
International relations

Japan is 'best partner' for Africa in solar, hydrogen: U.N. agency head

UNIDO's Mueller says crop yields could double with private-sector tech

9 July 2024
Drivers push auto rickshaws in a line to buy gasoline from a fuel station in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in July 2022 amid an economic crisis.
Economy

Developing countries face record interest payments as rates rise

Growing debt burden casts shadow over global economic outlook

12 June 2024
Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, left, chairman of the African Union, speaks as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol listens during a joint news conference on June 4.
Supply Chain

South Korea woos African nations over critical mineral supplies

High-tech economy aims to cut reliance on China for lithium and graphite

5 June 2024
Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar delivers a video address at the Future of Asia forum in Tokyo on May 24. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) 
The Future of Asia 2024

India seeks to extend influence in Middle East, Africa: Jaishankar

Foreign minister says country's transformation is crucial for building multipolar world

24 May 2024
Kenyan President William Ruto spoke with Nikkei on Feb. 9 during a visit to Japan. (Photo by Koji Uema)
Interview

As China debt looms, Kenya president seeks more diverse funding

Ruto inks deal with Japan on samurai bond amid diplomatic blitz

13 February 2024
People fleeing the violence in West Darfur, Sudan, cross the border into Chad in August 2023.
The Nikkei View

World's 'forgotten conflicts' must not be left to grow unchecked

Prolonged crises can lead to international terrorism and humanitarian issues

24 January 2024
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, meets with Brazilian counterpart Minister Mauro Vieira at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia on Jan. 18.
International relations

China deepens ties with Global South to counter U.S.-led order

Wang Yi's 6-nation tour garners support for One China principle, Belt and Road

23 January 2024
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for unrestricted passage of humanitarian aid to Gaza in a message to a special BRICS summit hosted by South Africa.
Middle East crisis

Xi calls for Gaza cease-fire, release of civilians, at BRICS summit

China's leader seeks 'authoritative' peace conference to solve Palestinian question

22 November 2023