Jakarta, 28 September 2026: ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe highlighted the importance of exchanging practical development experiences between ASEAN and Africa at the opening of the ‘South–South and Triangular Cooperation on Trade and Investment Promotion for African Countries’ programme on 28 September in Jakarta.

Convened by the Government of Indonesia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the programme runs until 8 October 2026 and brings together participants from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Ethiopia. ERIA is contributing alongside Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade, Ministry of State Secretariat, and JICA.

In his opening remarks, President Watanabe noted that developing economies face an increasingly complex global trading environment as they seek to translate trade and investment opportunities into inclusive and sustainable growth. He highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area’s potential to deepen regional integration, strengthen regional value chains, and expand business opportunities.

Drawing on ASEAN’s experience, President Watanabe emphasised the value of examining how regional commitments can deliver practical benefits for businesses and communities. He stressed that insights from ASEAN’s experience should be adapted to each region’s specific circumstances and development priorities.

ERIA’s contribution to the programme focuses on sharing ASEAN’s experience in the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. This exchange provides an opportunity for African participants to consider lessons relevant to their own economies, while enabling ASEAN and East Asia to learn from Africa’s approaches to regional integration, entrepreneurship, and investment.

President Watanabe also outlined ERIA’s approach to connecting evidence-based research with policy dialogue, capacity building, and practical co-operation. He expressed hope that the programme would deepen shared knowledge and build lasting relationships amongst policymakers and institutions across the regions.