Key Points
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Japan pledges Africa investments worth billions of dollars.
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Tokyo targets health, youth, women, and AI skills.
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TICAD 9 produces record cooperation agreements.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba opened the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama with billions in new pledges for Africa. He said Japan will “laugh and cry” with the continent as it deepens cooperation across health, trade, youth empowerment, and technology.
The pledges underscore Tokyo’s urgency to strengthen Africa ties as global powers compete for new markets and raw materials.
Japan pledges Africa investments in health and vaccines
Japan will channel fresh resources into Africa’s health systems under its Investment Promotion Package for Sustainable Health. Ishiba said Japan will help train 35,000 medical workers to support Universal Health Coverage. In addition, Tokyo will contribute $550 million over five years to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to improve vaccine supply chains.
Japan’s Africa investment drive expands trade and private sector
Japan is working with the African Development Bank to unlock up to $5.5 billion in private sector-led growth. In addition, Tokyo will mobilize $1.5 billion in public-private impact investments. The Japan International Co-operation Agency will oversee these funds and help reduce business risks with trade insurance.
Focus on youth, women, and AI skills
Japan’s plans extend beyond finance. Ishiba said his government will train 300,000 Africans over three years, targeting youth and women. At the same time, Tokyo aims to develop 30,000 AI and data science professionals to fuel the digital economy. Japan also pledged to back regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area.
To deepen cooperation further, Japan and African leaders will form a study committee on economic partnerships. At TICAD 9, more than 300 cooperation agreements were signed—more than double the number at the previous summit.
