“Japan believes in Africa’s future,” Ishiba said. “Japan backs the concept of African Continental Free Trade Area,” which aims to bolster the region’s competitiveness.
This year’s summit comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war and sharp cuts to foreign aid have hurt development projects in Africa. Meanwhile, China has expanded its foothold since 2000 through infrastructure and loan projects.
The three-day summit in Yokohama, near Tokyo, is focusing on the economy as well as peace and stability, health, climate change and education. Leaders and representatives from about 50 African countries and officials from international organizations are attending.
Japan launched TICAD in 1993. The last summit was held in Tunisia in 2022.
“Africa must have a stronger voice in shaping the decisions that affect its future,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, adding that African nations are underrepresented in international decision-making.
Under the Indian Ocean Africa economic zone initiative, Japan aims to bring investment into Africa from Japanese companies operating in India and the Middle East.
Ishiba said Japan will extend loans of up to US$5.5 billion in coordination with the African Development Bank to support Africa’s sustainable development and help address debt problems.
He also said Japan plans to train 30,000 artificial intelligence experts over the next three years to promote digitalization and create jobs.
Guterres said “unjust and unfair international financial architecture” must enhance African representation and give the continent a stronger voice in global decision-making. Building AI capacity in African countries would help ease the digital divide, he added.
Summit attendees are expected to adopt a “Yokohama declaration” Friday, and Ishiba will announce the outcome at a news conference.
AloJapan.com