Fight with China, Japan Gave $30 Billion to Africa

Africa is the future. Because the continent is often hit by this tempest is rich in natural resources and become a bone of contention developed countries. No exception of Japan, which has pumped $ 30 billion to Africa until 2018.

Launch Nikkei Asian Review, as much as $ 10 billion for infrastructure development. "This is an investment in the future of Africa," said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the summit TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development) in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday (27/08/2016).

The conference was attended by dozens of state and government leaders from across Africa, including Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta and South African President Jacob Zuma, head of the World Bank, and 500 Japanese businessmen. Interestingly, the meeting in Africa this is the first time, where the four previous meetings - first held in 1993 - always held in Japan.

By conducting in Africa, Japan would want a closer relationship. Citing the Daily Mail, Saturday (27/8), the purpose of the conference in addition to boosting trade and aid to Africa, Japan was competing with China in expanding their influence in the Black Continent.

In his speech, Abe said Japan intends to establish an intimate relationship with Africa without pressure and put Africa on the rule of law in the global economic market.

President of the African Development Bank (African Development Bank) Akinwumi Adesina said conditions in Africa today is different from the previous decade. Political stability make this continent has the growth potential of natural resources let alone supported, so it requires a lot of investment. "African economies grew by 5% or more strongly this year despite natural resource prices again low at the moment," said Adesina to the Asian Review.

Men from Nigeria adds, Ethiopia in the 1980s rocked by famine and the Rwandan early 1990s civil war, Hutu and Tutsi, now can escape from poverty and chaos symbol thanks to political stability. Both have been actively opening up of foreign capital in recent years. Similarly, Senegal, which in recent years safe from a coup.

In addition to political stability in Africa are beginning to stabilize so as to give a sense of security and comfort for investment, Africa also has a large market share. African population is relatively young, even predicted a time exceeded those of China and India combined. Therefore, added Adesina, Japan needs a growing market in the future. "And it is the African market".

Chairman of JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) Hiroyuki Ishige said it was time for Japanese companies to pursue overseas expansion, particularly to Africa. Because, Chinese, Japanese competitors both economically and politically, is also aggressive in developing investment and business to the Black Continent. Beijing incentive to invest in industry, infrastructure, clothing, communications, oil, and renewable energy.

Referring to Business Standard, Saturday (27/8), China as the country's second-largest economy in the world, recorded a total trade with Africa amounted to USD179 billion in 2015 and then, far surpassing Japan which was about USD24 billion.