Japan has promised a financial assistance package that will see the country’s public and private sectors invest $32 billion in infrastructure, human and mineral resource development in Africa over the next five years.

Financial assistance for infrastructure will amount to $6.5 billion and will fund the development of corridor projects and improvements to power generation equipment.

Japan’s vice-minister of economy, trade and industry, Yoshihiko Isozaki, says Japan has strong competition for the continent’s mineral resources from China. He says Japan needs Africa’s minerals to produce cars and electronics.

Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Kiyoshi Koinuma said at the recent Zambia-Japan Trade and Investment Promotion Forum in Lusaka, that the money would contribute towards the growth of African countries’economies.

The country will also provide graduate study opportunities in Japan over the next five years. 1 000 Africans will learn about Japan’s hi-tech environmental protection equipment and safety techniques to enable them to transfer these skills to African mining operations.