During the 11th New Year Symposium of the Japan–Morocco Association held in late January 2026, ambassadors from Morocco, Kenya, and Lesotho highlighted significant investment opportunities across their respective countries. The high-level business event brought together government officials and private sector leaders to explore collaboration in healthcare, renewable energy, transport, and logistics infrastructure.
Morocco’s Ambassador Rachad Bouhlal, Kenya’s Ambassador Moi Lemoshira, and Lesotho’s Ambassador Retselisitsoe Theko emphasized Africa’s growing readiness to absorb private investment, particularly from nations such as Japan that possess capital, advanced technology, and strong industrial development capacity.
Speakers underscored the potential for a mutually beneficial partnership. Japan stands to gain access to one of the world’s fastest-growing economic frontiers, while African nations can leverage Japanese expertise to address pressing challenges in healthcare, energy, and supply chain development.
Morocco outlined plans to elevate its healthcare system to world-class standards by expanding and modernizing medical facilities in Casablanca, Rabat, and other major cities.
Lesotho highlighted its logistical challenges as a landlocked country. Currently, truckers transporting goods from the Port of Durban to Maseru must navigate lengthy and difficult routes, with travel times averaging six hours. The government is seeking to tap into Japan’s tunneling and engineering expertise to construct a highway across its mountainous terrain, aiming to reduce freight travel time to approximately three hours.
Kenya, meanwhile, encouraged Japanese businesses to invest in its established Special Economic Zones, positioning the country as a regional manufacturing hub. As Kenya seeks to expand its industrial base, it is offering incentives and infrastructure to attract foreign manufacturers.
The symposium concluded with strong expressions of optimism about deepening Japan–Africa economic ties, signaling a shared commitment to long-term, win-win cooperation.
