In May,I visited Côte d’Ivoire and once again felt the immense potential of the West African region, including Côte d’Ivoire.
For many Japanese people, the image of Africa often brings to mind East African countries such as Kenya or Ethiopia.
This may be due to their geographical proximity, the prevalence of English-speaking countries, and the association of East Africa with wildlife and safaris.
In contrast, West Africa tends to feel more distant—both literally and figuratively—as many of its countries are French-speaking. Even when hearing the names of these countries, many people may not be able to locate them on a map.
Additionally, some tend to speak of West Africa with negative assumptions, such as “frequent conflicts” or “poor security,” even within the broader African context.
However, ending one’s understanding there would mean missing out on West Africa’s tremendous potential—and that would be truly unfortunate.
Here are some of the key points I strongly felt during my recent visit:
First, the potential of the regional community ECOWAS.
Many West African countries form an economic community known as ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States).
It includes 12 coastal countries from Nigeria to Senegal along the Atlantic Ocean, with a combined population of 360 million and a high growth rate.
They are working toward economic integration, including currency unification. In the future, this region could become a single common market.
While visa acquisition can be difficult between some West African countries and others, travel between ECOWAS member states is relatively easy.
Second, West Africa’s geographical advantage.
When talking with local businesspeople, I often meet individuals who frequently travel across West African countries.
Many capital and commercial cities are located within a 1–3 hour flight from each other, making the region remarkably close-knit. Cross-border marriages within West Africa are also common.
Moreover, many West African nations are located along the Atlantic Ocean, which facilitates relatively easy import and export.
I also spoke with officials at the Port of Abidjan, where trade with countries around the world is thriving.
Third, the abundance of natural resources such as minerals.
West Africa is rich in resources such as gold (Ghana, Mali), bauxite (Guinea), diamonds (Sierra Leone), iron ore (Liberia), and oil (Nigeria).
These resources give the region a competitive edge compared to many parts of the world.
That said, the abundance of resources can also delay the diversification of other industries—a phenomenon known as the “resource curse”—so this must be approached with caution.
From Japan, it’s hard to grasp the true situation in West Africa. I hope to continue uncovering its realities and exploring its business potential.
I am determined to keep my eyes on West Africa in the future as well.