Japan›s Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa: Its Interests, Role and Future

Abstract:
 In this paper “Japan›s Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa: Its Interests, Role and Future” we seek to focus on Japan›s presence in sub-Saharan Africa. In this regard, the paper found that Japan›s role in Africa is years ahead of its Chinese and Russian counterparts, although they now have increasing influence in the continent. The study ultimately reaches several conclusions, including that Japan›s influence on the continent has grown significantly despite intense competition with major powers. However, it has sought to counteract this effect by introducing Indo-Japanese cooperation as a mechanism to counter the growing expansionism of Beijing and Moscow. However, this does not deny that there are a number of challenges affecting this presence, from the Covid-19 pandemic and threats to the continent’s maritime security, to a lack of understanding of the access and requirements of the African environment.