President
William Ruto is among the 40 African leaders expected to attend the 9th Tokyo
International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), taking place from Wednesday.
The summit
represents a significant opportunity for African nations to engage with Japan,
a key supporter in various sectors including health, infrastructure, and youth
development.
It was last held in Tunisia three years ago.
Japan has
long been one of Kenya’s major donors, with substantial contributions directed
towards enhancing health initiatives, particularly through the Kenya Medical
Research Institute (KEMRI), as well as infrastructure projects and programs aimed
at empowering the youth.
Ahead of the
summit, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized Japan's commitment to
accelerating Africa's economic transformation by fostering private sector
development.
“Africa has
vast potential, and it is time we harness that for mutual benefit,” he stated.
Reflecting on
his experiences, Ishiba recalled his first visit to Africa 25 years ago,
saying:
“When I
visited Senegal in 2000, I was impressed by the dynamism of young students and
the continent’s possibilities. Today, that vision is becoming a reality.”
He believes
that the year 2025 will serve as a milestone for Africa, especially with the
convergence of two major international forums: TICAD 9 in Japan and South
Africa's G20 presidency.
Initially
launched in 1993, TICAD has evolved into a pioneering platform focused on
African development for over three decades.
It promotes
“African Ownership” and “International Partnership,” engaging diverse
stakeholders such as international organizations, businesses, and academia.
Japan is committed to being a steadfast partner
in this journey.
TICAD 9 will
unfold under the theme “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” where
Japan aims to explore creative solutions to the continent's challenges by
leveraging its advanced technologies.
This partnership will focus on integrating homegrown African solutions with Japanese experts.
