Ghana has officially confirmed its participation in the 2025 Japan Expo, scheduled to take place in Osaka, Kansai. The announcement was made by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, who will lead the Ghanaian delegation to the international event.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Hon. Sam George emphasised the significance of the Expo as a “transformative platform” to elevate Ghana’s rapidly growing ICT sector on the global stage.
“Our participation will highlight innovative products and services by Ghanaian private sector organisations from fintech and e-governance to digital health and smart solutions,” he said. “These advancements are driving Ghana’s digital transformation. They are creating jobs and improving lives, and we are excited to present them to the world, particularly to our potential Japanese partners.”
The delegation, he noted, will consist of a few public officials but will be predominantly composed of private sector players from Ghana’s technology and innovation landscape.
“The Ministry is proud to collaborate with private sector ICT organisations in Ghana — a cornerstone of our strategy to foster growth and innovation,” he added. “By partnering with dynamic ICT firms in the country, we aim to open doors for meaningful partnerships, attract investments, and build bridges with Japanese businesses.”
He explained that Ghana’s participation is part of a broader vision to establish the country as a hub for ICT excellence in Africa. The overarching goal is to enable local businesses to thrive in a competitive global environment by forming strategic international alliances.
“Our participation at the Expo will be robust and impactful,” Hon. George assured. “We will host an exhibition of cutting-edge projects and services, showcasing Ghana’s ICT achievements to a global audience. An ICT business forum will bring together industry leaders to discuss strengths, challenges, and opportunities, while B2B sessions will connect Ghanaian institutions with their Japanese counterparts, fostering dialogue and paving the way for strategic alliances.”
Ghana’s presence at the Expo will also include a special celebration dubbed Ghana Day, scheduled for September 11, 2025. According to the Minister, this symbolic day will underscore the strength of bilateral relations and present further opportunities for cultural and technological exchange.
As part of the government’s preparation, Hon. George revealed that plans are underway to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with relevant Japanese institutions. The agreement will focus on key areas including digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, capacity building, and technology transfer. The MoU will serve as a framework to boost broadband access, youth training in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital literacy.
Also present at the press briefing was the Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Ghana, Mr. Mitori Naoki, who reaffirmed Japan’s strong commitment to strengthening ties with Ghana through technological and developmental cooperation. He praised Ghana’s growing digitalisation agenda and commended the government’s vision for innovation-led development.
“Ghana’s digitalisation efforts, particularly under the leadership of the President, are commendable. The modernisation of public and private sector operations is key to achieving a 24-hour economy,” he noted. “The Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation is playing a pivotal role in pushing these goals forward.”
Mr. Naoki further highlighted the significance of two upcoming events in Japan that are designed to deepen Japan-Africa relations: the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) and the Osaka Kansai World Expo.
TICAD, scheduled for August this year, will bring together African leaders and development stakeholders to discuss strategies for sustainable development across the continent. Mr. Naoki expressed confidence in Ghana’s high-level participation in TICAD, affirming its long-standing commitment to collaborative progress.
Meanwhile, the Osaka Kansai World Expo, which officially opened on April 13 and will run through October 13, 2025, has already recorded over five million visitors as of May. Ghana’s participation will culminate in a major showcase during Ghana Day on September 11, when high-ranking Ghanaian officials are expected to attend.
The Expo, themed around designing future societies and transferring knowledge and culture across generations, is being represented by its official mascot, Miyaku Miyaku. The mascot symbolises the Expo’s focus on global unity, innovation, and cultural heritage.
Hon. Sam George reiterated that Ghana is seizing this opportunity not only to promote innovation but to cement long-term relationships with global stakeholders.
“Our focus is not just visibility,” he said. “We want to leave Osaka with results partnerships that translate into real opportunities, knowledge transfer, and support for the next generation of Ghanaian innovators.”
