TICAD
The 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9)
Opening Ceremony and Plenary Session 1 (Peace and Security)
August 20, 2025
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On August 20, the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) opened in Yokohama. The conference is co-chaired by Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru, with former Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio serving as Acting Co-chair of TICAD 9, Minister for Foreign Affairs IWAYA Takeshi and others were also in attendance. The conference welcomed representatives from 49 African countries including 33 heads of state and government, as well as representatives from international organizations, the private sector, Diet members, and civil society.
1 Opening Ceremony
- Prime Minister Ishiba attended the opening ceremony, which was held from 2:30 p.m. for approximately 75 minutes. At the outset, Prime Minister Ishiba stated in his keynote speech that Japan had consistently believed in the future of Africa since the establishment of TICAD in 1993 and would continue to be a reliable partner for Africa. Touching upon his own experience in Senegal, PM Ishiba also stated that locally rooted solutions are important for the development of Africa and emphasized the importance of co-creation of solutions to challenges, which is the theme of TICAD 9. PM Ishiba particularly highlighted three key areas: sustainable growth led by private sector, youth and women, and regional integration and connectivity both within and beyond the region, expressing Japan's commitment to working together with Africa to address global challenges.
- Specifically, PM Ishiba announced the following initiatives.
- Promotion of the “Japan Africa Co-Creation for Industry” initiative in which African startups and Japanese companies will jointly develop industries;
- Expansion of the “Enhanced Private Sector for Assistance for Africa (EPSA)” to a maximum of $5.5 billion to strengthen its functions;
- Mobilization of $1.5 billion in impact investments through JICA's overseas investment and financing;
- Training 300,000 people over the next three years, with a particular focus on training of AI personnel based on the “AI and Data Science Human Resource Development and African Economic Growth Initiative”
- Attracting investment in the African healthcare sector based on the “African Healthcare Investment Promotion Package,”
- Supporting vaccine supply in Africa through a contribution of up to $550 million over the next five years to the GAVI Vaccine Alliance;
- Enhancing regional integration of Africa through supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA);
- Establishment of Public-Private-Academia Joint Study Group on Strengthening of Japan-Africa Economic Partnership;
- Launch of the “Economic Region Initiative of Indian Ocean-Africa” to promote trade and investment between Africa and the Indian Ocean region; and
- Realizing a virtuous cycle of peace, growth, and stability in Africa through the “Africa Mine Action Platform” and the promotion of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). - Following this, H.E. Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves LOURENÇO, President of the Republic of Angola, co-chair of the TICAD 9 and Chairperson of the African Union, delivered a keynote address. President Lourenço expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Ishiba and Japan and commended the Japanese government's continued efforts to promote partnership with Africa through TICAD. President Lourenço also stressed the importance of mechanisms to facilitate financing necessary for addressing Africa's development challenges, such as health, education, food security, energy infrastructure development, trade, and digitalization. Furthermore, President Lourenço spoke on the importance of peace and stability, and UN Security Council reform.
- Furthermore, to represent the TICAD co-organizers, H.E. Mr. António Manuel de Oliveira GUTERRES, Secretary General of the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ali YOUSSOUF, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mr. Haoliang XU, Under-Secretary-General and Acting Administrator of UNDP, and H.E. Mr. Makhtar DIOP, IFC Managing Director (representing the President of World Bank), delivered their key note speeches.
2. Plenary Session 1 (Peace and Stability)
- In Plenary Session 1, which was held from 4:20 p.m. for approximately 110 minutes, former Prime Minister Kishida served as the Representative of the Government of Japan. At the outset, former Prime Minister Kishida stated that “peace and stability” are the foundation of sustainable economic growth and an inclusive society and introduced Japan's initiatives in this area.
- This was followed by keynote speeches by H.E. Mr. Bancole ADEOYE, the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) and H.E. General Évariste NDAYISHIMIYE, the President of the Republic of Burundi. Subsequently, lively discussions were held among African heads of state and other participants, emphasizing that peace and stability are essential prerequisites for development and prosperity. They pointed out necessity of African-led solutions, strengthening African institutions and initiatives, enhancing the roles of youth and women, addressing the root causes of conflict and conflict prevention, and the importance of UN Security Council reform. They also expressed gratitude for Japan's contributions to peace and stability in Africa, along with expectations for further strengthening of cooperation.
