🌍 Tokyo Hosts Global Leaders for African Development Summit

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Yokohama, Japan — August 20, 2025
The Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) officially commenced today in Yokohama, Japan, bringing together heads of state, international organizations, and private sector leaders to chart a path forward for Africa’s sustainable development. The three-day summit, co-hosted by the Government of Japan, the United Nations, the African Union Commission, and the World Bank, is one of the most prominent platforms for Africa-Japan cooperation.

🧭 Theme and Strategic Focus

Held under the theme “Co-Create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” TICAD9 aims to foster inclusive partnerships that address Africa’s most pressing challenges, including:

• Economic transformation and trade
• Climate resilience and energy access
• Peacebuilding and human security
• Youth empowerment and digital innovation

The conference comes at a time of global economic uncertainty, rising inequality, and climate disruption—issues that disproportionately affect African nations.

🗣️ Key Voices and Opening Remarks

UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the summit with a call for equitable global governance and deeper investment in Africa’s future:

“Africa must have a stronger voice in shaping the decisions that affect its future,” he said, urging reform of international institutions and financial systems.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized Japan’s commitment to long-term partnership, announcing plans to train 30,000 AI specialists across Africa over the next three years to support industrial digitalization and job creation.

🤝 High-Level Participation

Delegations from over 50 African countries are attending, including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Kenyan President William Ruto. South Africa’s delegation highlighted the importance of infrastructure, peace, and health investment under the African Union’s Agenda 2063 framework.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is also playing a central role, promoting initiatives such as the Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA) program and the Africa Investment Forum to attract Japanese capital into African markets.

💼 Investment and Innovation

TICAD9 features a series of thematic sessions and business expos focused on:

• Green hydrogen and renewable energy
• Urban development and transportation
• Health systems and education
• Venture capital and startup ecosystems

Japanese agencies including JICA, JBIC, and NEXI are expected to announce new co-financing agreements and risk mitigation tools to support African infrastructure projects.

🔮 Outlook

As Africa faces mounting debt pressures and limited access to global capital, TICAD9 is seen as a timely opportunity to redefine development cooperation. Organizers stress that the goal is not development for Africa, but development with Africa—grounded in mutual respect, innovation, and shared prosperity.

The conference will run through August 22, with outcomes expected to shape bilateral and multilateral engagements for years to come.

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TICAD9 Picture by United Nations Development Programme