The Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) concluded with strong commitments by African leaders and the Government of Japan to deepen cooperation in advancing Africa’s transformation agenda. The Summit reaffirmed the central role of multilateralism and co-creation in delivering the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Leaders acknowledged that current global and African GDP growth trends remain insufficient to achieve the aspirations of Agenda 2063. With debt challenges and limited market access constraining progress, the Summit welcomed the establishment of the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) and urged reforms to international credit rating practices. These discussions underscored Africa’s determination to strengthen private sector-led growth, build regional value chains, and accelerate integration into global supply chains through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In this regard, Japan’s investment in manufacturing, green technologies, and agro-industrial zones was highlighted as a vital pillar of support.

Building on this economic agenda, the Summit turned to digital transformation and innovation as a driver of Africa’s future competitiveness. Leaders emphasized the importance of co-creating an enabling environment for Africa’s digital revolution, with commitments to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, smart cities, and the establishment of AI Centers of Excellence to nurture innovation and youth-driven startups across the continent.

Infrastructure and connectivity were identified as equally critical to unlocking Africa’s growth potential. Leaders pledged to accelerate investment in sustainable and resilient infrastructure through the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), ensure the full operationalization of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), and expand continental energy networks such as the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM).

The conversation then shifted to food security and the blue economy, where leaders reaffirmed commitments to transforming agri-food systems under the CAADP Kampala Declaration. They called for scaling up climate-smart technologies and expanding agro-industrial hubs while also underscoring the role of the blue economy in creating sustainable livelihoods and driving inclusive growth.

Development finance and climate action were also at the forefront of discussions. Leaders stressed the urgent need for affordable, predictable, and sustainable development finance and investment, welcoming Japan’s contributions through the Enhanced Private Sector Assistance for Africa (EPSA) initiative and its support to IDA and the African Development Fund. On climate, the Summit called for global action to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund and scale up support for Africa’s adaptation initiatives, while boosting investment in renewable energy and critical minerals value addition.

Underscoring that people are at the heart of Agenda 2063, leaders committed to strengthening Africa’s health systems through the Africa Medicines Agency (AMA), expanding access to quality education and skills development, and promoting Africa–Japan youth exchanges under the ABE Initiative and the Africa Youth Program 2025.

Finally, the Summit reaffirmed support for African-led peace, security, and governance frameworks, including the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Governance Architecture (AGA). Leaders emphasized the importance of predictable financing for AU-led peace operations and commended Japan’s leadership in advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

In closing, TICAD 9 outcomes reaffirmed the partnership between Africa and Japan as a catalyst for achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063. With people, prosperity, peace, and sustainability at the core of cooperation and through co-creation, inclusive growth, and Africa-led solutions. The Summit highlighted Africa’s leadership on the global stage and the power of strong partnerships to accelerate progress toward The Africa We Want.

Note to Editors

About TICAD - This year's TICAD marks a milestone in the African Union’s cooperation with Japan, coming 31 years after the inaugural TICAD, which was organized in Tokyo in 1993, with the aim of establishing a new partnership for sustainable African development, grounded in the self-reliance of African countries and the supportive role of development partners, to ensure the co-creation of a better and prosperous world for all, especially for African countries.

About AU partnerships- The Directorate manages and coordinates the African Union's partnerships with other global entities. It focuses on addressing African needs and aligning partnerships with Agenda 2063. The Directorate collaborates with other AU departments to advance priority programs and projects and identifies areas for cooperation with strategic partners.

For further information,

please contact: Faith Adhiambo | Directorate of Information and Communication| African Union Commission | E-mail ochiengj@africanunion.org