The Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) highlighted cross-cutting issues that can help co-create innovative solutions to support African development, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), empowerment of youth and women, and regional integration and connectivity.
Held under the theme, ‘Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,’ the Conference discussed the three TICAD pillars – economy, society, and peace and stability. Japan announced several initiatives, including: Economic Region Initiative of Indian Ocean-Africa; Region-wide Co-creation for Common Agenda Initiative Through Nacala Corridor Development; Establishment of Public-Private-Academia Joint Study Group on Strengthening of Japan-Africa Economic Partnership; and African Healthcare Investment Promotion Package.
In his remarks to TICAD 9, UN Secretary-General António Guterres outlined five priorities:
- Reform the political and financial institutions of global governance to reflect today’s realities while taking bold action on debt relief;
- Invest in sustainable global value chains and regional integration;
- Harness digital innovation for development;
- Promote people-centred development; and
- Recognize that peace and prosperity go hand in hand.
The ‘TICAD 9 Yokohama Declaration’ emphasizes the need for Africa to “foster and capitalize on creating enabling environments to promote innovation in all spheres to accelerate socio-economic transformation.” The Declaration highlights “tremendous opportunities” generated by a young population and abundant resources but recognizes “multifaceted challenges for realizing sustainable economy and development, inclusive society, and lasting peace, security and stability.”
On economy, delegates undertake to, inter alia: strengthen regional integration and connectivity through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); promote the use of digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and satellite data; build AI governance; and strengthen PPPs. They highlight the importance of strengthening agricultural systems to eradicate poverty and food insecurity, ensuring a stable supply and the responsible development of critical mineral resources, and local value addition, including through the World Bank RISE partnership.
On society, delegates pledge to strengthen: health systems to achieve universal health coverage (UHC); and human resource development through primary, secondary, and higher education and in industry. They stress the importance of mutual exchanges between African and Japanese youth, among other initiatives.
On peace and stability, the Declaration underscores the importance of promoting human security and the humanitarian development-peace nexus, good governance, democracy, and the rule of law.
Delegates further commit to improving and reviewing TICAD to better align with the rapidly changing priorities and express their intention to hold the next Conference in Africa.
TICAD 9 convened in Yokohama, Japan, from 20-22 August 2025, bringing together 49 African countries, including 33 Heads of State and Government, as well as international organizations, private companies, and civil society. It was co-organized by the UN, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the African Union Commission (AUC). Japan and Angola co-chaired the Conference.
Led by the Government of Japan since 1993 to promote “African development for African people,” TICAD provides a platform to mobilize support for Africa’s development. [TICAD 9 Overview] [TICAD 9 Website] [SDG Knowledge Hub Stories on TICAD 8, TICAD 7, TICAD 6, TICAD 5, and TICAD 4]