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Under the theme of "Advancing Africa's Development through People, Technology and Innovation," the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) was held in Yokohama from August 28 to 30. Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Shinzo Abe and the President of Egypt H.E. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi co-chaired the conference. Attendees included leaders from 53 African countries. On August 30, TICAD7 concluded with the adoption of the "Yokohama Declaration 2019".

Yokohama Declaration and TICAD7 Highlights

The "Yokohama Declaration 2019" bolsters Africa's comprehensive and sustainable development, following the three pillars below:

(1) Economy: Accelerating economic transformation and improving business environment through innovation and private sector engagement
(2) Society: Deepening sustainable and resilient society
(3) Peace and Stability: Strengthening peace and stability

The Japanese government announced Japan's contributions for Africa, including efforts to improve business environment in Africa to attract private investment over 20 billion USD.

• URL:https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/africa/ticad/ticad7/index.html

As the implementing agency for Japan's official development assistance, JICA will make every effort to put the Japanese government's commitment into practice, including but not limited to the following areas:

(1) Develop human resources in a private sector: African Business Education (ABE) Initiative 3.0, Kaizen Initiative, supporting women business entrepreneurs

(2) Promote innovation and investment: improving investment environment with the African Development Bank through Enhanced Private Sector Assistance for Africa (EPSA4), promoting Japanese SMEs and SDGs businesses in Africa, and expanding Private Sector Investment Finance for African countries.

(3) Promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Africa Health and Wellbeing Initiative: improving hygiene and primary health care access, expanding health insurance, improving nutritional condition of children through the "Initiative for Food and Nutrition Security in Africa (IFNA)".

(4) Establish stable and reliable institutions and enhance governance: developing human resources in the judicial, policing, security sectors among others.

Discussions among leaders for Africa's development

JICA hosted 31 side events during TICAD7.

On August 29, JICA conducted a high-level panel titled "Global governance and Africa's development. " The panelists included Ms. Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye, Minister of Trade and Industry of Rwanda; Mr. Amadou Ba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Board Chair of the Gavi the Vaccine Alliance; Dr. Joseph Stiglitz, professor of Columbia University; and Dr. Shinichi Kitaoka, President of JICA. Ms. Aiko Doden, a Special Affairs Commentator of NHK World TV's World News Division, moderated the panel discussion.

During the panel, the participants actively discussed how Africa and Asia can mutually learn from each other's development experiences, how to spur private sector-led development, how to respond to the expectations of Africa's youth and women and how to create democratic governance that enables political stability.

Commenting that Africa and Japan can learn from each other's experiences president Kitaoka expressed his will that JICA works in partnership with African countries by respecting Africa's ownership and taking into account the similarities and differences between Africa and Japan.

• JICA High-Level Panel -Global Governance and Africa’s Development (PDF)

President Kitaoka holds discussions with leaders from Africa

President Kitaoka held discussions individually with representatives of African countries and international organizations during TICAD7. They exchanged views about JICA's efforts in each country and how JICA will cooperate with Africa in the aftermath of TICAD7.

Tuesday, August 27

Wednesday, August 28

Thursday, August 29

Friday, August 30

H.E. Mr. Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development

Saturday, August 31

Building on exchanges with representatives from Africa, international organizations and other development partners, JICA will continue to work for Africa's development as a trustful partner through mutual dialogues.