By By King’s Office Correspondents
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN — In a significant demonstration of international partnership and economic cooperation, Japan has pledged a staggering US$7.55 billion (approximately €140 billion) to advance development across Africa over the next three to five years. The announcement was made by Japan’s Prime Minister,
higeru Ishiba, during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), held in Yokohama and concluding on August 22, 2025.
The commitment highlights Japan’s long-standing dedication to African development since the inception of TICAD in 1993. Prime Minister Ishiba reaffirmed Japan’s role as a steadfast partner invested in Africa’s future, emphasizing collaborative solutions designed and implemented with local input to tackle the continent’s unique challenges.
Central to Japan’s pledge is the allocation of US$5.5 billion (circa €102 billion) towards fostering a Japan-Africa Co-Creation industry. This initiative aims to stimulate robust partnerships between African startups and Japanese enterprises, nurturing innovative sectors and sustainable industries on the continent. The initiative, known as the Expansion of the Enhanced Private Sector for Assistance for Africa (EPSA), aims to enhance private sector involvement and build a dynamic industrial landscape.
In addition, Japan will invest US$1.5 billion (€28 billion) through the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) mechanisms to spur impact investments, leveraging financial instruments to support transformative projects with measurable social and economic benefits.
Recognizing the critical importance of human resource capacity, Japan committed to training 300,000 individuals over the next three years. This intensive skills development program targets emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science under the AI and Data Science Human Resource Development and African Economic Growth Initiative, preparing a new generation of innovators and technologists.
Healthcare, an essential sector for Africa’s sustainable growth, will benefit through the African Healthcare Investment Promotion Package. Japan pledged up to US$550 million (approximately €10 billion) over five years to support vaccine supply efforts via the GAVI Vaccine Alliance, reinforcing efforts to curb infectious diseases and improve public health resilience on the continent.
Prime Minister Ishiba underscored the importance of regional economic integration by reaffirming support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to unify African markets and boost intra-continental trade.
Japan also announced the creation of a Public-Private-Academia Joint Study Group aimed at strengthening economic partnerships by fostering dialogue and cooperation among government, industry leaders, and academia from both regions.
Further initiatives include the launch of the Economic Region Initiative of Indian Ocean-Africa, designed to accelerate trade and investment flows between Africa and countries bordering the Indian Ocean, thus deepening economic ties and enhancing regional prosperity.
Japan’s approach encompasses not only economic growth but also peace and stability. The conference highlighted Japan’s commitment to the Africa Mine Action Platform, which supports landmine clearance and post-conflict recovery, as well as the promotion of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiatives aimed at empowering women in peacebuilding and development processes.
The African Union Chairperson and Angola’s President, João Lourenço, who co-chaired TICAD 9, lauded Japan’s sustained commitment to African development. He emphasized the urgent need for innovative financing mechanisms to address critical development challenges spanning health, education, food security, energy, infrastructural development, trade, and digital transformation.
President Lourenço also expressed appreciation for Japan’s backing of Africa’s advocacy for United Nations Security Council reform, which is viewed as key to enhancing global peace and security.
The ambitious financial support and strategic initiatives pledged by Japan at TICAD 9 mark a new chapter in Africa-Japan relations. By focusing on co-created, sustainable development models and leveraging private sector engagement, technology, and human capital development, Japan aims to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s transformation into a vibrant, self-sustaining economic powerhouse.
As TICAD continues to evolve, the fruitful dialogue and partnerships established affirm Japan’s role not just as a donor, but as a committed partner invested in Africa’s long-term prosperity and stability.
