Kenya beats Nigeria, South Africa as future investment spots for Japanese companies.

Kenya is the most attractive destination for Japanese firms seeking to make new investments in Africa, a survey has shown.

The survey carried out by Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) on Japanese-affiliated companies in Africa, found that over a third (35.1 percent) of polled companies cited Kenya as their preferred future investment destination in Africa.

South Africa came second with 33 per cent of the companies citing it as an attractive destination followed by Nigeria (29.4 per cent), Ethiopia (21.3 percent and Ghana (19.5 per cent).

Tanzania closed the top 10 preferred list at 15.6 per cent.

Jetro cited in its report Kenya’s position as the economic hub of East Africa, with many emerging start-up companies offering big potential for collaboration as the reason for preference by japanese companies.

“Kenya was continuously ranked as the top country. The results of South Africa rose 4.7 points from last year, overtaking Nigeria, and ranked next to Kenya. Interests in Mozambique and Tanzania have been declining from 2018,” says the survey.

READ ALSO: Presidency now a lie manufacturing plant —ADC

The survey also described Africa as a sweet spot for Japanese companies pointing at expanding demand for infrastructure, potential of geothermal power, growing car industry and the existence of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects.

“About half of the surveyed companies said the importance of African continent as a trading destination has increased compared to five years ago while another 60 per cent said they see its attractiveness rising further in the next five years.”

“Many companies cited market expansion with the growth of population and expectations for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as reasons for this,” JETRO survey noted.

Jetro was established in 1958 as a Japanese government-related organisation that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world.

The survey usually targets firms that receive capital contribution from any Japanese company regardless of the investment ratio or number of Japanese expats they have.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now