The 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) held in Yokohama, Japan from August 20 to 22, 2025, reaffirmed a pivotal multilateral platform that unites African nations, Japan, and global partners to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation through strategic partnerships, innovation, and sustainable development.
Established in 1993, TICAD provides a multilateral platform where African governments, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society collaboratively explore innovative and sustainable solutions to the continent’s complex development challenges.
Under the theme “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” TICAD 9 reinforced commitments to accelerate economic transformation through inclusive growth, technological advancement, youth and women empowerment, and peacebuilding.
This summit underscored Africa’s growing role not only as a development beneficiary but as a strategic driver of innovation and global solutions, aligned with AU Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) held in Yokohama, Japan from August 20 to 22, 2025, reaffirmed a pivotal multilateral platform that unites African nations, Japan, and global partners to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation through strategic partnerships, innovation, and sustainable development.
Established in 1993, TICAD provides a multilateral platform where African governments, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society collaboratively explore innovative and sustainable solutions to the continent’s complex development challenges.
Under the theme “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” TICAD 9 reinforced commitments to accelerate economic transformation through inclusive growth, technological advancement, youth and women empowerment, and peacebuilding.
This summit underscored Africa’s growing role not only as a development beneficiary but as a strategic driver of innovation and global solutions, aligned with AU Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Economic Importance of TICAD Summits to Africa
TICAD summits serve as a nexus for dialogue between African leaders, development agencies, private sector players, academia, and civil society. The 2025 summit recognized persistent challenges such as limited technological access, high borrowing costs, and protectionist trade environments that stifle Africa’s growth.
TICAD 9 emphasized Africa’s strategic priorities: deepening regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), building resilient supply chains, and attracting investment in manufacturing and agro-industrial zones.
Japan’s financial and technological support emerged as a pivotal enabler, exemplified by investments in green technologies, renewable energy projects, and infrastructure connectivity. This support aligns with global climate goals and Africa’s commitment to energy transition, aiming to expand access to sustainable power across the continent.
Leaders stressed the imperative to boost economic diversification away from commodity dependence, enhance value addition, and foster access to affordable finance. Inclusive policies supporting women, youth, and vulnerable groups were underscored, fostering equitable development.
Yet it also highlighted promising drivers like its youthful population, projected to grow to over 2 billion by 2050, and a resource-rich continent ripe for industrialization.
Japan pledged impactful investments totaling over $1.5 billion during TICAD 9, including a ¥25 billion (approx. $169 million) “Samurai” financing loan to boost Kenya’s vehicle assembly and infrastructure sectors, coupled with initiatives to lower power transmission losses—an efficiency gain with direct economic benefits.
Furthermore, Japan announced an expansion of its Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA) portfolio to $5.5 billion, aimed at scaling private sector engagement that fosters diversified, resilient economies.
Pillars Driving Africa’s Economic Transformation at TICAD 9
The TICAD 9 agenda was structured around three core pillars: Economy, Society, and Peace & Stability—each interlinked to promote sustainable development.
1. Industrial Growth and Technology Adoption
TICAD 9 placed emphasis on facilitating investment and technology transfer as routes to economic diversification. Notably, the inauguration of the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) aims to lower borrowing costs across African markets by enhancing transparency and credit assessment—potentially saving billions in interest payments and unlocking private capital.
Digital transformation was another priority, with focused programs like the “AI and Data Science Human Resource Development Initiative” targeting over 300,000 trainees by 2030 to build capacity for a thriving tech sector.
Since its inception in 1993, TICAD has embodied a multilateral approach based on African ownership and international partnership. TICAD 9 intensified this commitment by reinforcing co-creation as a guiding principle—promoting collaborative innovation between African nations, Japan, and global partners.
Co-creation was not merely theoretical; practical initiatives showcased this ethos. The partnership encouraged joint efforts to harness digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, deploy smart city innovations, and develop AI centers of excellence across Africa. Harnessing youth-driven entrepreneurship and startups was highlighted as vital to unlocking Africa’s innovation potential.
The summit featured forums on urbanization, recognizing Africa’s accelerating migration to cities as a catalyst for job creation and inclusive growth. Drawing on lessons from Japanese cities, discussions explored sustainable urban planning, infrastructure development, and expanding economic opportunities.
2. Human Capital and Social Inclusion
Investment in education, skill development, and healthcare is critical given Africa’s demographic trends. Programs co-funded during TICAD 9 aim to narrow digital divides and uplift underserved communities, particularly targeting youth and women who constitute the continent’s majority workforce.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s partnership with international entities was spotlighted for empowering over 3 million African entrepreneurs since 2010, underscoring entrepreneurship as a catalyst for economic inclusion.
3. Peace and Stability: A Foundation for Prosperity
Recognizing that peace and political stability underpin economic growth, TICAD 9 sessions reinforced support for governance reforms, conflict resolution, and regional cooperation which are vital in attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
4. Investment in Society
Human capital development and social resilience were core to TICAD 9’s agenda. Investments in health, education, social protection, and community empowerment are essential to build resilient societies that can withstand shocks such as pandemics, climate change, and conflicts. TICAD 9 reaffirmed the importance of repairing and strengthening state-society relationships through inclusive social policies that promote equity and access.
5. Trade and Investment
Promoting intra-African trade, improving regional value chains, and attracting diversified investments were central themes. TICAD 9 reinforced support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and initiatives that enhance manufacturing, agro-processing, and supply chain resilience. The aim is to move beyond raw commodity exports toward value-added production, paving the way for structural transformation.
TICAD 9 marked a historic milestone by adopting a youth-led declaration and action plan, placing Africa’s youngest generation at the heart of the development agenda. It emphasized education, skills development—particularly STEM—and support for startups and creative enterprises. Empowering youth as innovators and leaders is seen as critical for sustained socioeconomic progress.
7. Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development
Acknowledging the severe impacts of climate change on Africa, TICAD 9 prioritized green technologies, renewable energy investments, and natural resource management. The conference backed initiatives aligned with global climate goals while emphasizing Africa’s right to sustainable growth. Building resilient infrastructure and communities against environmental risks was declared vital for long-term stability and prosperity.
Analytical Data on Impact and Economic Value
- Africa’s GDP growth averaged 4.5% annually from 2021 to 2024, but industrial sector contribution remains below 15% in most countries, highlighting the need for investment in value addition and manufacturing (World Bank).
- Urbanization rates are expected to reach 60% by 2050, making cities hubs for economic growth and job creation. Proper planning frameworks discussed at TICAD aim to convert urbanization trends into inclusive growth engines (World Bank, TICAD 9 Urban Awakening).
- Private sector investments supported through EPSA have increased by an estimated 30% since TICAD 8 in 2022, validating the model’s effectiveness in mobilizing finance for development projects (UNDP report).
- The establishment of AfCRA is forecast to reduce African nations’ average borrowing costs by up to 1.5 percentage points annually, potentially saving $500 million in interest payments continent-wide, thus making more funds available for social and infrastructure projects (African Union).
Positive Transformations on the Horizon
The aggregated commitments and thematic focus areas of TICAD 9 set the stage for transformational impacts:
- Industrial Competitiveness: Targeted infrastructure financing in countries like Kenya will enhance local manufacturing capacities, reduce import reliance, stimulate exports, and create sustained job opportunities in assembly and logistics sectors.
- Digital Ecosystem Growth: Training 300,000+ digital professionals and developing AI expertise offers Africa a competitive advantage in technology-driven sectors such as fintech, agriculture tech, and e-governance.
- Entrepreneurial Empowerment: With grassroots programs supporting millions of entrepreneurs, new businesses can drive innovation, diversify economies, and expand employment in traditionally informal sectors.
- Urban Economic Resilience: Effective urban planning initiatives will mitigate slum proliferation, improve service delivery, and generate millions of urban jobs, contributing to poverty alleviation.
- Global Economic Integration: Enhanced creditworthiness and increased private sector collaboration improve Africa’s global trade standing, attracting new foreign direct investment and strengthening participation in global value chains.
How AMENA AFRICA Bridges Local Solutions to Accelerate Africa’s TICAD 9 Goals
AMENA AFRICA’s objectives closely align with the agenda and priorities of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), reflecting a shared vision for leveraging Africa’s economic potential through innovation, partnerships, and sustainable growth in key market sectors. Below is how Amena Africa’s focus ties to TICAD 9’s strategic areas across its main markets:
Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG):
TICAD 9 emphasized the importance of urbanization and digital transformation to drive inclusive economic growth. Amena Africa’s FMCG sector insight highlights Africa’s rapidly expanding consumer base, driven by over 1.2 billion people with rising incomes and urban migration. The focus on e-commerce, mobile commerce, and omnichannel retail strategies reflects TICAD 9’s call for digital inclusion and innovative business models. By supporting local production, sustainable packaging, and affordability, Amena Africa is positioned to advance Africa’s consumption-driven growth and economic diversification pathways championed at TICAD.
Resources:
The TICAD 9 conference underscores Africa’s role in the global energy transition and the need for sustainable resource management. Amena Africa’s resources sector aligns with this through emphasis on oil, gas, critical minerals like cobalt and lithium crucial for renewable energy technologies, and investments in solar, wind, and geothermal projects. The strategic mention of emerging markets such as Senegal and Namibia parallels TICAD’s focus on new frontiers for investment and technological transfer. Amena’s resource insights support TICAD’s goals for sustainable development and economic resilience amid global market volatility.
Agriculture:
Agriculture remains vital, contributing about 17% of Africa’s GDP and employing close to half its workforce. TICAD 9 emphasized food security and sustainable practices, echoing Amena Africa’s focus on modern agritech, organic farming, and climate-resilient crops. Their spotlight on empowering smallholder farmers and promoting agro-processing complements TICAD’s agenda to harness African youth potential through technology and innovation in agribusiness. By addressing climate impact and infrastructure gaps, Amena’s approach supports TICAD’s vision of socially inclusive and sustainable rural development.
Manufacturing:
TICAD 9’s emphasis on industrialization and value addition directly correlates with Amena Africa’s manufacturing objectives. Both prioritize development of local manufacture to reduce import dependence, improve supply chains, and build competitive export sectors supported by technology and skills development. Amena’s promotion of agro-industrial zones and diversified production aligns with TICAD’s call for economic integration via the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and sustainable industrial growth.
Food & Beverages:
The food and beverage sector’s modernization options fit within TICAD’s broader goals for food security and economic diversification. Amena’s attention to packaged foods, ready-to-drink products, and nutrition-focused offerings tap into trends TICAD encourages—leveraging technology for quality and safety, and creating value chains that empower women and youth entrepreneurs, a priority from the conference.
Packaging:
Sustainability as highlighted in TICAD 9 is mirrored in Amena Africa’s packaging focus on eco-friendly materials and ethical production. This sector’s evolution supports TICAD’s push for green technologies and circular economies, linking industry growth to environmental stewardship and consumer demand for sustainable brands.
Fintech:
Digital financial inclusion, a key topic at TICAD 9, is directly serviced by Amena Africa’s fintech sector goals. The drive to expand mobile payments, credit access, and digital banking addresses TICAD’s calls to reduce economic exclusion, promote SME financing, and harness Africa’s tech talent. Fintech innovation supports broader inclusive economic growth, consistent with TICAD’s partnership and empowerment agenda.
