(MENAFN) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called on international partners, especially Japan, to focus on investment and collaboration rather than aid in Africa. Speaking at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), he emphasized that Africa is ready to shape its own future through sustainable development, industrialization, and value co-creation.

Ramaphosa highlighted South Africa’s economic reforms, including stabilizing energy supply, modernizing infrastructure, and opening ports and railways to private investment, aiming to boost re-industrialization and regional integration. He also showcased growth in sectors such as electric vehicles, green hydrogen, health products, and digital infrastructure as opportunities for investors.

The president stressed the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in enhancing trade and investment, noting ongoing efforts to finalize value-chain protocols and streamline border infrastructure. Warning against over-reliance on single markets, Ramaphosa encouraged tariff cooperation to improve access for African goods.

Concluding his address, he reiterated Africa’s preference for equal partnerships over donor-recipient relationships, advocating a future built on mutual investment and shared prosperity.

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