Suzuki, TradeWaltz and MOL forge partnership to strengthen India–Africa automobile trade

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), TradeWaltz, Inc., and Suzuki Motor Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance automobile trade between India and Africa. The agreement was formalised during the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama.

Under the MoU, the three companies will work together to identify challenges in automobile transportation between India and Africa, explore digital solutions, and promote decarbonisation across trade operations.

The partnership builds on the ‘Japan–India Cooperation Initiative for Sustainable Economic Development in Africa’, announced at the Japan–India–Africa Business Forum in February 2025. By leveraging their complementary strengths, the companies aim to create a resilient supply chain and boost economic connectivity between the fast-growing markets of India and Africa.

MOL, the world’s second-largest ship owner, is expanding automobile transport services from India to Africa to meet rising demand. Suzuki is supporting mobility in Africa by supplying Indian-made compact cars, which are increasingly sought after by the continent’s growing middle class for their fuel efficiency, durability and affordability.

TradeWaltz, which operates a blockchain-based digital trade platform funded by 18 leading Japanese corporations, will bring its expertise in streamlining and digitising trade processes. The company has already conducted trade digitalisation studies in Kenya (2024) and India (2025) under projects commissioned by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Through this collaboration, Suzuki, MOL and TradeWaltz aim to build a robust automobile supply chain, reinforce India–Africa trade ties, and contribute to sustainable economic growth across both regions while advancing the goals of TICAD.