TICAD 9 : Atidi, Mufg, and Nexi Mobilize Japanese Investments in Africa

(LVDE) – On August 20, 2025, in Yokohama, on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad 9), a high-level meeting was held to boost Japanese investments across Africa.

In a prestigious setting, financial leaders and investors gathered to explore opportunities on the continent. The event, hosted by the African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (Atidi) in collaboration with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (Mufg) and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (Nexi), served as a platform to discuss strategies for strengthening economic ties between Japan and Africa.

The discussions highlighted Africa’s growing appeal for Japanese investors, especially in infrastructure, telecommunications, and energy. Mufg, Japan’s largest financial institution, demonstrated a strong commitment by supporting crucial infrastructure financing and helping Japanese companies establish themselves in African markets. Nexi, which recently became a shareholder of Atidi, reaffirmed its role in reducing the risks associated with Japanese investments on the continent.

The event was structured around two main sessions. The first spotlighted Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia Plc, one of Ethiopia’s most significant foreign direct investments.

This project allowed participants to assess the role of foreign capital in large-scale infrastructure development and the liberalization of Ethiopia’s telecom sector.

Atidi CEO Manuel Moses emphasized the need for strong partnerships and innovative solutions to unlock Africa’s full potential. “The collaboration with Mufg and Nexi shows that strategic alliances can transform the investment landscape,” he said, underlining the benefits of a collective approach to overcoming investment challenges.

Atidi’s political risk insurance for the Safaricom project illustrated how Japanese companies can confidently operate in Africa. By covering risks such as expropriation and contract breaches, Atidi—working with Nexi—provides investors with greater security in complex environments.

The second session focused on mobilizing institutional and private capital to support Africa’s development. Speakers explored risk-mitigation mechanisms and blended-finance models, both crucial for attracting investment in key sectors. Mufg shared expertise in structuring cross-border deals, while Atidi presented tailored risk-mitigation instruments for investors.

Ankit Khandelwal, Mufg’s Head of Africa, stated: “We are proud to partner with Atidi and Nexi to unlock new investment opportunities. This initiative aligns with Ticad 9’s goals of sustainable development and energy transition.”

During the meeting, Atidi and Mufg signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen their collaboration. The partnership aims to provide innovative risk-mitigation solutions and catalyze investments for Africa’s benefit. Currently, Atidi’s portfolio with Mufg includes 72 insurance policies covering transactions worth more than $5.4 billion.

In the face of Africa’s inclusive and sustainable growth challenges, this gathering provided a moment to reflect on how to strengthen Japan-Africa economic relations. By leveraging innovation and strategic partnerships, Atidi, Mufg, and Nexi are committed to turning Africa’s potential into lasting prosperity—building a resilient future grounded in investment and collaboration.

Esther Grace