JETRO to Host Largest-Ever Africa-Focused Business Expo in Yokohama
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has announced plans to host the TICAD Business Expo & Conference from August 20 to 22, 2025, as part of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), scheduled to take place in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Described as the largest Africa-related event ever organised by JETRO, the Expo will feature 196 Japanese companies and organisations, of which 107 are small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The Expo, to be held at Pacifico Yokohama, will span 10,000 square metres and comprise four main areas—Japan Fair, Africa Lounge, Event Stage, and Thematic Exhibitions.
According to JETRO, the event introduces a new format of business engagement aimed at fostering practical and high-impact business interactions between Japanese firms and African stakeholders. It is organised in partnership with the Japan Business Council for Africa (JBCA) and supported by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
“JETRO is using this event to support Japanese companies in expanding their footprint across the African continent by showcasing innovative products and technologies aligned with Africa’s development priorities,” the agency noted in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Japan Fair: Thematic Zones Inspired by Agenda 2063
The flagship Japan Fair will feature eight thematic zones structured around the African Union’s Agenda 2063, including:
- Transforming Infrastructure
- Healthcare and Sanitation
- Food Value Chain
- Skills for the Future
- Climate Solutions
- Sustainable Urban Development
- Pop Culture
- Japanese Companies Driving Growth in Africa
This segment is designed to showcase “excellent products, technologies, and services” to government officials and business leaders from African countries attending TICAD9.
Africa Lounge and Innovation Focus
The Africa Lounge will serve as a strategic meeting space where African governments and agencies present investment opportunities to Japanese businesses.
On the Event Stage, participants will engage in seminars and panel discussions spanning topics such as infrastructure finance, cross-border trade, innovation, and pop culture. JETRO has also planned dedicated sessions featuring key African private sector voices and cultural showcases to deepen people-to-people connections.
Two Thematic Exhibitions—on Pop Culture and Innovation—will highlight the potential for business development through Japanese creative industries and the introduction of cutting-edge technologies relevant to Africa’s growth.
Nationwide Participation and SME Focus
Exhibitors at the Expo represent 30 Japanese prefectures, with Tokyo accounting for the highest number (111 companies), followed by Kanagawa (18), Osaka (15), and Hyogo (13). The strong SME presence, JETRO says, reflects the organisation’s commitment to supporting local enterprises in exploring Africa’s growing markets.
JETRO also noted that the Expo is structured to go beyond traditional trade fairs, adopting an integrated approach to business matching, market education, and cultural exchange.
Background on TICAD9
TICAD9 is led by the Government of Japan and co-hosted by the United Nations, UNDP, African Union Commission (AUC), and the World Bank. The conference continues Japan’s long-standing commitment to Africa’s development, and its 2025 edition is expected to build on previous TICAD outcomes with a sharpened focus on private sector engagement.
JETRO, which operates over 70 international offices and nearly 50 domestic hubs, says the Business Expo forms part of its broader mission to promote trade and investment, support innovation, and assist Japanese companies in penetrating emerging markets like Africa.
The event is anticipated to generate new partnerships, joint ventures, and investment flows between Japan and Africa in sectors crucial to the continent’s transformation.
