Dignitaries at the Tokyo conference
A Japan-led meeting on African development has concluded with a joint declaration which calls for strengthening agricultural systems to ensure stable food supplies as well as the development of safe and reliable artificial intelligence.
The Tokyo International Conference on African Development, or TICAD9, brought together the leaders of Japan and 49 nations from the continent with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu making a strong pitch for more investments in Africa, especially in Nigeria.
The Yokohama declaration pledges to expand youth exchanges, nurture human resources and support startups.
It also highlights plans to enhance connectivity between Africa and other regions and step up investment in transport and logistics.
The document envisions developing critical minerals in a responsible way and ensuring a stable supply.
The declaration states that Japan and the African nations will cooperate in boosting healthcare, including the prevention of pandemics.
There is also a call to improve disaster forecasting and preparedness.
The document pledges that Japan will contribute to building peace and stability in the continent. It added that good governance, democracy and the rule of law are fundamental pillars of Africa’s sustainable development.
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru spoke on Friday after the conclusion of the three-day conference in Yokohama, near Tokyo. He said he wants to strengthen Japan’s win-win relationship with Africa.
“Africa has great strength in population, resources, and human capital, and it has the potential to grow more,” Ishiba said. “By resolving the many challenges facing Africa together, the continent will grow, develop and prosper, which will also benefit Japan.”
