ATIDI, MUFG and NEXI push for stronger Japanese investment in Africa at TICAD9 side event
The African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) have co-hosted a high-level side event at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, aimed at boosting Japanese private sector investment across Africa.
Bringing together senior government officials, investors, development finance institutions and private sector leaders, the discussions underscored Africa’s readiness for investment and highlighted opportunities for deeper Japanese-African cooperation.
A key focus was the landmark launch of Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia Plc (STE), the single largest foreign direct investment in Ethiopia and one of the most significant Japanese-backed ventures on the continent. ATIDI played a central role by providing a 10-year Political Risk Insurance (PRI) policy to Sumitomo Corporation, a consortium partner, with NEXI offering reinsurance support.
ATIDI Chief Executive Officer, Manuel Moses, said the collaboration with MUFG and NEXI showed how “strategic alliances can drive transformational investment” by mitigating risk and boosting investor confidence.
NEXI Chairman and CEO, Atsuo Kuroda, emphasised Japan’s strengthened partnerships through ATIDI membership, investment in African projects, and tailored services such as the Japan Desk. He noted NEXI’s role in supporting Africa even during unexpected crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
MUFG’s Ankit Khandelwal, Director and Head of Africa for sovereigns, DFIs and blended finance, said the initiative aligned with TICAD9’s objectives of advancing quality infrastructure, supporting energy transition, and enhancing public-private partnerships.
During the conference, ATIDI and MUFG also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide innovative risk mitigation solutions for Japanese investors, supporting financing and development initiatives across the continent.
Since joining ATIDI in 2023, NEXI has expanded its support for Japanese firms with a growing pipeline of co-insured projects. ATIDI currently covers 72 policies across African markets, backing transactions worth over USD5.4 billion.
The side event, held under the theme “Unlocking Japanese Private Sector Investment in Africa”, reflected TICAD9’s wider mission of co-creating innovative solutions with Africa. With Africa’s economic transformation gaining pace, the event highlighted how stronger partnerships and de-risking mechanisms could unlock new pathways for Japanese capital to power sustainable growth across the continent.
