At the close of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ichiba called for the creation of a free trade zone connecting Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
The three-day conference, which gathered African heads of state and government delegations, focused on strengthening economic ties, boosting trade, and deepening cooperation between Africa and Asia.
Prime Minister Ichiba said the proposed free trade zone would enhance regional competitiveness, open new markets, and accelerate development through improved trade linkages and investment flows.
The idea has drawn interest from African leaders keen on expanding partnerships beyond traditional markets to drive growth and innovation across the continent.
