The African Development Bank (AfDB) has opened its first representative office outside Africa in Tokyo.

The Japanese office will be headed by Tamagawa Masayuki.

AfDB president Donald Kaberuka says the new office will help strengthen the bank’s advocacy role on African development issues in the Asia Pacific region, and promote business and investment opportunities in Africa.

Two more external representation offices are set to open in Paris and Washington. The AfDB currently has 35 field offices in its member countries.