The country aims to do more business with Africa as it emerges from years during which its private sector was particularly risk-averse.

Japan is supporting its companies to grow their business in Africa and develop trade ties across a continent where it’s mainly been seen as a key donor.

The second-biggest Asian economy’s emergence from a three-decade period of deflation has boosted its private sector’s risk appetite, Takehiko Matsuo, vice-minister for International Affairs at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in Abidjan, the commercial hub of Ivory Coast.