Japan’s flagship Africa summit, TICAD-9, concluded in Yokohama on August 22 with the participation of representatives from more than 40 African countries, including about 30 heads of state or government.

 Like the past few TICAD meetings, the focus was not on new pledges of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) but on promoting private sector engagement. 

While questions remain over whether TICAD can serve as an effective counterweight to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), this edition revealed developments of particular significance to India.

A New Indian Ocean–Africa Economic Region

Prime Minister Ishiba used two occasions on August 20, the opening of TICAD-9 and a parallel event hosted by a leading Japanese newspaper, to propose an “Indian Ocean–Africa Economic Region.

” The initiative seeks to link Japan with India, West Asia, and Africa across the Indian Ocean. It dovetails neatly with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision. It seeks to advance Africa’s regional integration and industrial development while expanding opportunities for Japan and its partners.

Japanese officials argue that such a framework could become a new driver of global economic growth. Acknowledging the economic significance of Japan’s partnerships with India and West Asia creates a bridge toward structured engagement with Africa. It also offers Japanese companies and African partners a platform for collaboration beyond conventional aid, giving Tokyo a strategy that simultaneously supports African growth and its own economic revival.