The African Development Bank will participate in the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), taking place in Yokohama, Japan, from 20 to 22 August. The conference comes at a pivotal moment as Africa works to bridge investment gaps and build resilience against global economic and climate shocks. The Bank will play a central role in mobilising international partnerships, particularly with Japan, to support Africa’s transformation agenda.
TICAD, co-hosted by the United Nations, UNDP, the World Bank, and the African Union Commission, has been a cornerstone of Africa’s development for over three decades since its launch in 1993. The forum has established itself as a reliable catalyst for Africa’s growth, with significant contributions through grant aid and technical assistance. Senior leaders from the African Development Bank, including Vice Presidents Kevin Kariuki, Solomon Quaynor, Nnenna Nwabufo, Kevin Urama, and several directors, will represent the institution at the conference.
Over the years, collaboration between the African Development Bank and Japan under TICAD has expanded into a comprehensive platform for development finance, knowledge exchange, and private-sector engagement. A key vehicle for this collaboration has been the Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA) initiative, launched in 2005, which has channelled billions in co-financing for African businesses and infrastructure. Through agencies such as JICA, JBIC, and NEXI, Japan has supported the Bank’s High 5 development priorities, enabling transformative projects in energy, transport, health, and climate resilience. During TICAD9, a new phase of this initiative, EPSA6, is expected to be signed.
Recognising the private sector’s pivotal role in Africa’s development, the Bank will host side events to encourage Japanese investment in strategic sectors such as green hydrogen, transport, health, agriculture, and education. The Africa Investment Forum will also be promoted as a marketplace to attract capital to priority projects. Recent activities, including the Japan Special Room during the Forum’s Market Days in Morocco, showcased Africa’s investment opportunities to Japanese investors, focusing on agricultural innovation and green growth.
Ahead of TICAD9’s official opening, JICA and partners convened a major event on Africa’s energy gap, titled “Harnessing Innovation, Co-creation, and Knowledge for Accessible and Resilient Energy for Africa.” The session highlighted that 600 million Africans lack access to reliable electricity and 900 million lack access to clean cooking. African Development Bank officials stressed that energy is the foundation of infrastructure and development, calling for urgent investment and innovation. The event underscored TICAD’s role in offering solutions through collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Throughout TICAD9, the Bank will organise and co-host several sessions addressing Africa’s development priorities. These include a high-level policy dialogue on harnessing Africa’s potential and a business session on emerging partnerships between Japan and Africa. Both will provide a platform to strengthen ties, advance investment, and drive inclusive, sustainable growth across the continent.
