President Tanaka Met with African Ministers at TICAD Ministerial Meeting
2024.09.09
JICA held meetings with African representatives and organized events alongside the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo on August 24 and 25.
1. Meetings with representatives from African countries
JICA President Tanaka Akihiko met with ministers of 16 African countries and other representatives of the TICAD Ministerial Meeting, exchanging views on concerns and JICA’s effort in each country as well as future cooperation leading up to TICAD9, to be held in August next year. Senior Vice Presidents Ando Naoki, Kawamura Kenichi, and Hara Shohei also met with 23 ministers and senior officials of governments and international organizations (a list of attendees of the meetings with President Tanaka is provided below).
2. Co-hosting the plenary session at the TICAD Ministerial Meeting
On the morning of Sunday, August 25, JICA co-organized a plenary session on trade and investment promotion with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and others.
The aim of the session was to facilitate future co-creation by connecting African leaders with Japanese and African startups solving social problems. JICA President Tanaka delivered the closing remarks for Part I, while JICA expert Fuwa Naonobu, who provides technical support to the office for Nigerian Digital Innovation as an advisor on support for entrepreneurs and innovation promotion, also took part in a panel discussion on creating a sustainable business environment in Africa. In Part II, a networking session was held where CourieMate, andu amet, and SOIK—three companies currently doing business in Africa through the JICA SDGs Business Supporting Survey for SMEs—interacted with African startups Emergency Response Africa, Xolani Health, and Zowase, as well as ministers and other participating companies.
Closing remarks by President Tanaka
Panel discussion session
Networking session
3. Co-hosting two thematic events
In parallel with the TICAD Ministerial Meeting, JICA also co-organized two TICAD Ministerial thematic events to stimulate the interest of Japanese and African youth toward Africa and amplify their voices.
（１） Model African Union: Youth Solutions for Greener Africa (Thematic event)
Date: August 23 (Friday), 14:00-17:00
Co-organizers: African Union Commission (AUC) / JICA / Sophia University / UNDP
Content: In anticipation of TICAD9, to be held in Yokohama in 2025, a Model African Union was held for the first time in Japan to encourage young people to think proactively about sustainable development and partnership among African countries. University students from Japan and Africa formed teams representing African nations and discussed climate change and the realization of a green economy in Africa.
Group photo of participants
（２） Africa-Japan Youth Drive: The Co-creation of the Future We Want (Thematic event)
Date: August 24 (Saturday), 9:00-11:00
Co-organizers: Africa Asia Youth Nest (AAYN) / Africa Diaspora Network Japan (ADNJ) / JICA / UNDP / United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV)
Content: Together with young leaders from Japan and Africa, as well as middle and senior generations, participants discussed the potential and ideal future of “youth.” JICA emphasized that youth are a driving force for social change and that “co-creation” between Japan and Africa, younger and older generations, and public and private sectors is also crucial for transforming society. Additionally, AAYN and ADNJ, composed of youth from Africa and Japan, expressed their intention to submit “policy recommendations from youth” for TICAD9 in 2025.
Panel discussion session
Since the First Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD1) in 1993, JICA has developed its projects based on the direction of African development discussed and agreed upon at TICAD. Also, JICA has contributed to the discussions and formulation of action plans at TICAD through dialogues with the Japanese government, African countries, international organizations, private companies, and civil society.
Leading up to TICAD9, JICA will continue its discussions and dialogues, while also implementing cooperation in the African region.
（List of attendees of the meetings with President Tanaka）
H.E. Mr. Rui Miguêns de Oliveira, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Republic of Angola
Hon. Dr. Lemogang Kwape, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Botswana
H.E. Ambassador Alberto Shingiro, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi
H.E. Ms. Bestine Kazadi Ditabala, Delegated Minister to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie in charge of International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
H.E. Mr. Kacou Houadja Léon Adom, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (left)
H.E. Mr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt (center)
Hon. Ms. Thulisile Dladla, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini
H.E. Dr. Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya
H.E. Ms. Rafaravavitafika Rasata, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Madagascar
Hon. Nancy Tembo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malawi
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, Minister of the Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians abroad of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
H.E. Ms. Yassine Fall, Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Senegal
Hon. Mr. Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa
H.E. Mr. Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan
Hon. Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance and National Planning of the Republic of Zambia
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