Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)
Mar 03, 2023
TICAD9 (2025)
The nineth edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) is happening later this year. TICAD9 will take place between the 20th and 22nd of August 2025, in Yokohama, Japan.
For over three decades, Japan has dedicated itself to understanding the challenges faced by the African continent and working with its governments and business leaders to find solutions for Africa’s development.
TICAD9 will continue the previous work of deepening the relationship between the public and private sector in Japan and Africa. Japan understands that the solutions for Africa’s challenges lie within Africa, which is why it values constant dialogue. Co-creating and collaborating to find sustainable solutions to social issues while navigating through a digital revolution will be an important part of TICAD9.
With TICAD9 approaching, Japan is re-enforcing its commitment to working with the African continent. The Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Takeshi Iwaya, reiterated these sentiments during his visit to South Africa, this February, for the G20 Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
South Africa is the first African country that will host the G20 Summit and the excitement of this milestone is palpable.
Minister Iwaya wrote on an article for Business Day, “TICAD9, with “co-creation” as a keyword, will build on Japan’s previous efforts to create solutions to various challenges together with African countries. By fostering synergy between the G20 and TICAD9 Japan is committed to actively contributing to discussions to maximise their combined impact” (Iwaya, 2024).
In the spirit of co-creation and cooperation, the minister wrote about the strong friendship and trust between South Africa and Japan, which is based on mutual respect. He mentioned that both countries should work together to unite the world and steer it from “confrontation and division”. He also highlighted the business relationship that South Africa shares with Japan. Adding words about the immense contribution of Japanese companies to the economic development of the country through investments, job creation, and furthering technological innovation (Iwaya, 2024).
The events surrounding the G20 Summit have been exciting and are laying a good foundation for TICAD9.
For more information, please contact JETRO Johannesburg.
infosuy@jetro.go.jp
Iwaya, Takeshi. Business Day. “TAKESHI IWAYA: Japan and SA — advancing global development through partnership”.<https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2025-02-20-takeshi-iwaya-japan-and-sa--advancing-global-development-through-partnership/>. 20 February 2024.
