Japan is set to host the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) from 20–22 August in Yokohama, marking a pivotal moment in its evolving engagement with Africa.
This year’s summit — Japan’s first since 2019 — comes with bold ambitions to transition from aid donor to strategic partner amid intensifying global competition on the continent. At the heart of TICAD 9 is Tokyo’s plan to raise $1.5 billion in “impact investing” to support projects that advance Africa’s climate and development goals while also generating returns for Japanese investors. Backed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and private financial institutions, investments will target sectors like renewable energy, healthcare, and sustainable infrastructure.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba aims to frame Japan’s Africa strategy around “quality growth,” emphasizing long-term resilience through education, local manufacturing, and environmental sustainability — contrasting with models driven by volume and speed. TICAD 9 will also spotlight youth, digital innovation, and women’s empowerment. New startup linkages and vocational training programs will be launched to foster inclusion and co-create technology-driven solutions.
“The conference come at a moment when Tokyo is seeking to deepen its global reach and demonstrate that it is prepared to match rhetoric with resources,” says a new analysis in The Diplomat. As part of Japan’s broader economic security push, Tokyo is also deepening ties around critical minerals and exploring green hydrogen partnerships. With financial tools like Samurai bonds and new bilateral treaties, Japan hopes to unlock wider African access to its capital markets. TICAD 9 signals a refreshed commitment: a partnership grounded in respect, shared prosperity, and long-term stability.