Investing in Africa: challenges and opportunities faced by Japan and the UK

In his tour of Eastern Africa earlier this year, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged over £8.7 billion in aid and trade deals. A large portion of this amount would be channelled towards infrastructure development, which will give strength to the East African export market.

 

While the UK’s presence in Africa has existed for longer, there is less of a concerted push from the British government, despite its very long-established links with many countries in the region, into sub-Saharan development. The steadily increasing working-age population of the region, however, is creating new markets for telecommunications and other high-tech industries which in turn provides more opportunities for private investors.

 

In the shadow of well-established presence by other countries across the continent what implications does the current situation in Africa hold for British and Japanese companies looking to invest? This panel discussion aims to examine some of the issues common to both countries, and ways in which they can be surmounted.

 

The keynote speaker for the panel is Dr Elisabete Azevdeo Harman, Research Fellow for the Africa Programme at Chatham House. She is joined by Mr Haruki Hayashi (Regional CEO for Europe & Africa, Mitsubishi Corporation), Mr Jun Arima (Director-General, Japan External Trade Organisation) and Mr David Parkes (Corporate Partner, Co-head of Africa Group, King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin). The event is chaired by Sir David Warren.

 

To reserve your place, please call the Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email events@japansociety.org.uk or submit the online booking form.

 

Free for members of the Japan Society or JCCI

Booking essential – book online here
Booking deadline – Friday 31 October