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Ishiba, kicking off the Tokyo International Conference on
African Development (TICAD), pledged to strengthen business and
investment in the region and promote free trade by connecting
the Indian Ocean region to the African continent.
“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 drastic cuts in foreign-aid programs have negatively
affected development projects in Africa. Meanwhile, China has
been expanding its foothold in the area since 2000 through
infrastructure building 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
countries from the African continent, as well as officials from
international organizations, are attending.
Japan launched TICAD in 1993. It was last held in Tunisia in
2022.
“Africa must have a stronger voice in shaping the decisions that
affect its future,” United Nation’s Secretary-General António
Guterres, said at the event, adding that African nations are
underrepresented in the international community and its
decision-making process.
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 $5.5 billion in
coordination with African Development Bank to promote Africa's
sustainable development to address their debt problems.
He also said Japan aims to provide support 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 endorse a
strong African voice in the decision-making process, adding that
building AI capacity in developing countries in Africa would
help ease digital divide in the region.
Those present at the summit are expected to adopt a “Yokohama
declaration” Friday and Ishiba will announce the outcome at a
news conference.
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Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. AP writer Reeno Hashimoto in
Tokyo contributed to this report.
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