Three Japanese companies be a part of forces tobuild vehicle commerce hall between India and Africa

Three Japanese corporations — Mitsui O.SK. Lines, Ltd, TradeWaltz Inc. and Suzuki Motor Corporation — have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation on collaboration in vehicle commerce between India and Africa. 

This announcement was made on the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), held in Yokohama.

The three corporations stated they’ll cooperate in figuring out present challenges in commerce operations associated to vehicle transportation between India and Africa, and exploring potential options, together with digitalisation and selling decarbonisation.

Recognising the significance of the “Japan–India Cooperation Initiative for Sustainable Economic Development in Africa” launched on the Japan–India–Africa Business Forum held in February 2025, the three corporations recognized synergies between their respective companies in India and Africa, and purpose to contribute to the areas’ financial growth collectively by leveraging their strengths, they stated.

“Announcing this MOU on the event of TICAD 9 marks a concrete first step towards constructing a sturdy provide chain and enhancing the financial connectivity of the big, rising markets in India and Africa,” the three corporations stated in a joint assertion.

The three corporations will proceed to embody the spirit of TICAD by means of their initiatives, working collectively to ascertain a sturdy vehicle provide chain between India and Africa, and attaining shared development along with India and Africa, they added.

“This partnership is a vital step towards constructing a sturdy vehicle commerce hall between India and Africa. By combining MOL’s experience in protected, sustainable transport with the innovation of our companions, we purpose to create a extra digitalized, resilient, and future-ready provide chain that contributes to the expansion of each areas,” stated Capt. Anand Jayaraman, Executive Officer, MOL South Asia and Middle East Region. 

The main problem within the vehicle commerce between India and Africa is the handbook processing of key paperwork like payments of lading. While TradeWaltz will tackle this, MOL, which is at present increasing vehicle transport companies from India to Africa, would deploy further capability to cater to the quickly rising demand on this commerce route. 

Suzuki, on its half, is supporting the mobility of individuals in Africa by means of offering Indian-made compact vehicles and different merchandise. 

“The demand for fuel-efficient, sturdy and reasonably priced compact autos from Africa’s center class is shared by our Indian prospects and the proximity of India and Africa is driving this enterprise,” Suzuki stated.