Africa-Press – Tanzania. Japan’s Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has pledged US$7.55 billion (approximately E140 billion) to support various development projects and initiatives in Africa over the next three to five years.
He announced this commitment in his keynote address to African leaders, including His Majesty the King, during the TICAD 9 conference, which concluded on August 22, 2025.
Prime Minister Ishiba stated that Japan has consistently believed in Africa’s future since TICAD’s inception in 1993 and will remain a steadfast partner to the continent.
He emphasised that locally rooted solutions are vital for Africa’s development and highlighted the importance of co-creating solutions to challenges, aligning with the conference theme.
Ishiba announced a US$5.5 billion (approximately E102 billion) contribution to promote a Japan-Africa Co-Creation industry, where African startups will collaborate with Japanese companies to establish thriving industries.
He said the programme, named the Expansion of the Enhanced Private Sector for Assistance for Africa (EPSA), will strengthen its role.
Ishiba added that Japan will mobilise US$1.5 billion (approximately E28 billion) towards impact investments through JICA’s overseas investment and financing.
The Prime Minister also committed to training 300 000 people over the next three years, focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) personnel under the AI and Data Science Human Resource Development and African Economic Growth Initiative.
He noted that Japan will support investment in Africa’s healthcare sector through the African Healthcare Investment Promotion Package, contributing up to US$550 million (approximately E10 billion) over the next five years to the GAVI Vaccine Alliance for vaccine supply.
“Enhancing regional integration through support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and establishing a Public-Private-Academia Joint Study Group on Strengthening Japan-Africa Economic Partnership remain priorities for the State.
Other initiatives include launching the Economic Region Initiative of Indian Ocean-Africa to promote trade and investment between Africa and the Indian Ocean region and fostering a virtuous cycle of peace, growth, and stability through the Africa Mine Action Platform and the promotion of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS),” Prime Minister Ishiba said.
African Union Chairperson, Angola’s President João Lourenço, co-chair of TICAD 9, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Ishiba and the State of Japan, commending their continued efforts to foster partnership with Africa through TICAD.
He stressed the need for mechanisms to facilitate financing for Africa’s development challenges, such as health, education, food security, energy, infrastructure, trade and digitalisation.
He also appreciated Japan’s support for Africa’s call to reform the UN Security Council to enhance global peace and stability.
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