Khaldon Azhari

The 2024 Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting concluded two days of meetings on Sunday with a Joint Communiqué emphasizing increased cooperation and the development of relations under the logo “Made With Japan.”

The meetings focused on promoting trade and investment and highlighted the crucial role of the private sector in creating a fair and resilient business environment. This emphasis on collaboration with the private sector made the audience feel involved and integral to the process. Additionally, they discussed cooperation to address challenges such as climate change, health, education, agriculture, food security, nutrition, energy, and water in Africa.

The meeting was of utmost importance in shaping TICAD’s future, as it prepared for the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in August 2025 in Yokohama, Japan. This emphasis on the meeting’s importance made the audience feel informed and aware of its significance.

During Plenary Session 3 on the Economy, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Fukuzawa presented three perspectives on promoting trade and investment in Africa. He emphasized Japan’s support for trade and investment in Africa and expressed expectations for entrepreneurship promotion, start-ups, and collaboration between Japan and Africa. Panel discussions and networking sessions were held to explore these perspectives further and foster collaboration between the Japanese and African private sectors.

Fukazawa expressed his expectations that African countries would listen sincerely to the difficulties and requests of private companies on the front line, work together to address challenges and create a predictable level playing field.

In the closing session, Dr. Mohamed Salem Merzoug, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the Chair of the AU, each TICAD Co-Organizer made remarks confirming the importance of TICAD and the partnership with Japan.

Minister Kamikawa highlighted the importance of building a sustainable startup ecosystem, creating a fair business environment, and encouraging the role of youth and women in economic transformation. She also mentioned a new initiative to foster collaboration between Japan and Africa, which involves organizing networking sessions between African ministers and startup companies. These sessions, Kamikawa said, aim to facilitate knowledge exchange, partnership building, and investment opportunities, thereby promoting innovation and economic growth in Africa.

The meeting was attended by Ministers and the delegation of Japan and African Union Member States together with representatives of TICAD Coorganizers, namely the United Nations (UN), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC), as well as international and regional organizations, the private sector and civil society organizations from Japan and Africa. The private sector, a key stakeholder in the TICAD process, is crucial in driving economic growth and innovation in Africa, as it can provide investment, expertise, and technology to support the development of the continent.

The “TICAD Ministerial Meeting Joint Communique” was adopted at the Closing Session.

The Joint statement from TICAD 9 discussed three main pillars: Society, Peace and Stability, and Economy, under the theme of “Co-create innovative solutions with Africa.” Participants emphasized the importance of addressing climate change, health, education, agriculture, food security, nutrition, energy, and water for a sustainable future.

They recognized Africa’s efforts in innovative domestic resource mobilization and stressed the need for collaboration in developing innovative solutions. The statement also highlighted the importance of promoting disease prevention, strengthening health systems, improving access to quality education, and enhancing governance through digital transformation and capacity building.

Additionally, they emphasized the need to strengthen the African Peace and Security Architecture and support AU-led peace operations.

Lastly, the statement noted the urgency of mobilizing investment resources to accelerate AU Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development Goals.