Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi Visits the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Kenya

1. The Republic of South Africa

(1) Attending Mining Indaba 2023

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi attended Mining Indaba 2023, the world's largest mining investment conference—held in Cape Town, Republic of South Africa—which brings together government officials, investors, and resource-related companies from Africa, the US, Europe, and Asia. There, he worked to further strengthen ties between Japan and African countries in the mining field. An overview is given below.

(2) Outline of the keynote speech at the JOGMEC seminar

During Mr. Satomi's speech, he stated that the Government of Japan is prepared to provide strong financial support for Japanese companies' mining activities in Africa, and that it will further promote cooperation in investigating resources with African countries in order to secure a stable supply of important minerals necessary for promoting green transformation (GX).

(3) Attending the Ministerial Meeting of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)

At the MSP Ministerial Meeting, ministerial level representatives from MSP member countries and African countries participated and commented on subjects such as measures to strengthen partnerships between MSP member countries and resource-rich countries, and how they should build responsible supply chains. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi stated that the Government of Japan will actively participate in building individual projects based on high ESG standards under the MSP, and will utilize its budget to support investment in the mining sector by Japanese companies, and work in cooperation with MSP member countries and resource-rich countries to strengthen and diversify supply chains of important minerals.

(4) Meeting with Mr. Benjamin Gaezo, Interministerial Representative of Strategic Mineral and Metal Resource Supplies of France

During his meeting with Mr. Benjamin Gaezo, Interministerial Representative of Strategic Mineral and Metal Resource Supplies of France, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi requested cooperation in the area of important minerals under the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Track, and stated that he would like to further promote bilateral cooperation in the area of important minerals in collaboration with government agencies such as JOGMEC and JBIC. Representative Gaezo expressed his gratitude and support for Japan leading the discussions as the chair of the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Track, and expressed his desire to further deepen cooperation between the two countries.

Meeting with Mr. Benjamin Gaezo, Interministerial Representative of Strategic Mineral and Metal Resource Supplies of France
 

(5) Exchange of views between Mr. Jose W. Fernandez, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment and Mr. Yamada Kenji, State Minister of Foreign Affairs

During the meeting with Mr. Jose W. Fernandez, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, and Mr. Yamada Kenji, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi explained that the budgetary measures to support the efforts of Japanese companies can also be used for collaborative projects with MSP member countries. He also requested cooperation with Japan when it leads the discussions regarding the field of important minerals during the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Track, which Japan is the chair of. Mr. Fernandez expressed his gratitude for the Government of Japan's active efforts in MSP and expressed his willingness to support Japan when it leads discussions regarding the field of important minerals during the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Track.

(6) Meeting with Mr. Ebrahim Patel, South Africa's Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

During the meeting with Mr. Ebrahim Patel, South Africa's Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, the two ministers exchanged views on bilateral economic cooperation and other topics. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi called for cooperation in improving the business environment through measures such as securing a stable power supply, and Minister Patel expressed interest in cooperation between the two countries in areas such as green hydrogen and the World Expo. Both sides confirmed that they will continue to work together to deepen economic relations between the two countries.

(7) Meeting with Hon. Antoinette N'Samba Kalambayi, the Democratic Republic of Congo's Minister of Mines

During the meeting with Hon. Antoinette N'Samba Kalambayi, the Democratic Republic of Congo's Minister of Mines, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi expressed his gratitude for her vigorous activities in Japan last December, including the signing of a joint statement of intent on cooperation in the mining sector and a business roundtable with Japanese companies. He also stated that he would like to accelerate coordination between the two countries in preparation for the Working-Level Japan-Congo Mining Seminar in order to promote investment from Japanese companies into the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ms. Antoinette N'Samba stated that the two countries will work together closely in preparation for the Mining Seminar, and expressed interest in cooperating in investigations utilizing Japan's advanced technological capabilities.

 

(8) Meeting with Mr. Tom Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Namibia

During the meeting with Minister of Mines and Energy Alweendo, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi proposed to invite the minister to Japan this March and April for a business roundtable and other meetings with Japanese companies interested in Namibia in order to promote concrete bilateral cooperation in the mining sector. Minister Alweendo expressed his gratitude for the invitation to Japan and agreed to make concrete arrangements to hold the Business Roundtable in Japan in the future. In addition, Minister Alweendo shared the challenges in Namibia's mining and hydrogen sectors and mentioned the possibility of concrete cooperation with Japan in the future.

 

(9)Meeting with Hon. Paul Chanda Kabuswe, the Republic of Zambia's Minister of Mines and Mineral Development

During the meeting with Hon. Paul Chanda Kabuswe, the Republic of Zambia's Minister of Mines and Mineral Development, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi invited him to come to Japan this May for a business roundtable and other meetings with Japanese business executives interested in Zambia in order to promote concrete bilateral cooperation in the mining sector. Minister Kabuswe stated that he would like to proceed to make concrete plans for a business roundtable and other events in Japan.

 

(10) Meeting with Hon. Mr. Lefoko Maxwell Moagi, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security of the Republic of Botswana

During the meeting with Hon. Mr. Lefoko Maxwell Moagi, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security of the Republic of Botswana, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi touched on the potential of the country's mineral resources and requested information on investment opportunities that Japanese companies could take part in and cooperation in a joint survey conducted by the JOGMEC Geologic Remote Sensing Center in Botswana and Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI). Minister Moagi stated that he would like to build a long-term cooperative relationship in order to solidify the relationship between JOGMEC and the BGI, and indicated the possibility of continued cooperation with Japan.

 

2. The Republic of Kenya 

(1) Meeting with Hon. Simon Kiprono Chelugui, Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives & Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

During the meeting with Hon. Simon Kiprono Chelugui, Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives & Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi explained the support measures for Japanese startups and cooperation to develop industrial human resources, and stated that he will strengthen business relations with Japan and Kenya and other African countries. Cabinet Secretary Chelugui shared the challenges being faced by SMEs in Kenya, and expressed interests in support measures through cooperatives using Japan's efforts as a reference as well as in cooperation utilizing Japan's technologies and experience.

 

(2) Exchanges of views with representatives of the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi exchanged views with Mr. Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Principal Secretary, State Department for Investment Promotion, and Dr. Eusebius Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary, State Department for Industry, from the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi, introduced METI's support measures for strengthening economic relations with Africa, pointed out the importance of bilateral dialogs in light of the deepening economic relations between Japan and Kenya, and proposed that they further strengthen dialogs, receiving support from the Kenyan side. On the Kenyan side, Principal Secretary Abubakar expressed his hopes for Japanese companies to expand into the Mombasa Special Economic Zone and for cooperation between Japanese and Kenyan companies. Regarding industrial cooperation, Principal Secretary Mukhwana introduced the ongoing cooperation efforts with Japan to enhance Kenya's manufacturing industry, shared the technologies and initiatives needed to diversify Kenya's industries, and expressed his hopes for further cooperation with Japan.

 

(3) Meeting with Mr. Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum

During the meeting with Mr. Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi explained Japan-Kenya cooperation projects in the energy field and Japan's Green Growth Initiative with Africa, which was announced by the Government of Japan at TICAD8. He also expressed the challenges in making specific projects and requested his help in solving them. Cabinet Secretary Chirchir shared the direction of the energy policy under the new administration and mentioned the possibility of continued cooperation with Japan to achieve net zero as well as power development in Kenya and neighboring countries with a focus on geothermal energy.

 

(4) Meeting with Mr. Eliud O. Owalo, Cabinet Secretary of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy

In the meeting with Mr. Owalo, Minister of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi introduced examples of support to develop Japanese start-up businesses in Kenya using digital technology and partnerships between Japan and Kenya in the digital economy. He stated that he will continue to support the strengthening of bilateral economic relations, including in the digital field. Cabinet Secretary Owalo shared the challenges of digital transformation throughout Kenya, which is one of the key agendas of the Government of Kenya, and expressed his hopes toward building strategic partnerships by utilizing the technologies and knowledge of Japanese companies.

 

(5) Meeting with H.E. Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary

During the meeting with H.E. Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Satomi congratulated him on his inauguration last year and expressed his desire to further develop the cooperative relationship between Japan and Kenya, which recently celebrated itsthe 60th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi thanked Japan for its cooperative efforts to date and expressed his expectations for investments and other activities in a wider range of fields to further develop Kenya's economy. He also expressed his willingness to cooperate with Japan in all areas through his role, which is to comprehensively coordinate cross-governmental issues.

 

Division in Charge

• Mineral and Natural Resources Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
• Africa Office, Trade Policy Bureau