TICAD 9 Public-Private Business Dialogue

21st August (Thursday)

13:10-17:40

Closing Remarks prepared for

H.E. Mr. Moses Valakati

Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), Acting Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (“ETTIM”) 

African Union Commission

Excellency Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, our host,

Excellency Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union

African Union Heads of State and Governments,

African and Japanese dynamic entrepreneurs.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we conclude this important Public-Private Business Dialogue at TICAD 9, I want to express my profound gratitude on behalf of H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ali YOUSSOUF, AUC Chairperson, for the insightful discussions and the spirit of collaboration that has permeated this hall.

Throughout the sessions, we have reaffirmed a fundamental truth: the private sector is the indispensable engine for Africa’s inclusive growth and sustainable development. As I highlighted in recent similar forums, Africa is unequivocally open for business. We've heard compelling narratives, like that of Mrs. Naomi Mbakam of Leelou Baby Food, demonstrating how African ingenuity, coupled with strategic partnerships, can drive local economic impact and envision global reach.

Our discussions on economic diversification, regional integration, and strengthening finance have underscored the immense potential of the AfCFTA – a market of 1.4 billion people, a testament to our commitment to continental integration and economic transformation.

In a world grappling with geopolitical uncertainties and fragmented supply chains, the partnership between Africa and Japan stands as a beacon of stability and mutual benefit. Japan seeks reliable partners and diversified markets; Africa offers both, alongside a youthful population and abundant resources.

The figures reflect this promise: at TICAD 8, Japan announced a commitment to invest US$30 billion over three years. We call on Japan to strategically scale up its investments in Africa's transformative sectors—from manufacturing and technology to renewable energy—to build sustainable value chains and accelerate our collective progress, creating resilience in an unpredictable global landscape.

Excellencies,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

As this dialogue draws to a close, the real work begins. We must translate our shared understanding into tangible outcomes for a result-oriented partnership. We call for concrete actions that deliver on the promise of TICAD 9. Let us focus on:

• Accelerating Value Chains: Moving beyond raw material extraction to local processing and manufacturing, creating jobs and wealth on the continent.
• Investing in Green and Digital Transitions: Leveraging Japanese expertise in renewable energy, smart cities, and artificial intelligence to build sustainable and technologically advanced economies.
• Empowering SMEs: Ensuring that African small and medium enterprises, particularly women and youth-led businesses, have access to finance, technology, and market linkages to thrive within the AfCFTA and beyond.
• Infrastructure for Integration: Prioritizing investments in quality infrastructure that truly connects our continent and facilitates trade.

The African Union is unwavering in its commitment to Agenda 2063. We invite Japan to walk hand-in-hand with us, transforming these aspirations into reality. Let us build a future where our partnership is a model for global cooperation, delivering prosperity and stability for both our peoples. The time for action is now. Let us make TICAD 9 the turning point for a truly transformative and impactful Africa-Japan partnership.

Thank you. Arigato gozaimasu. Obrigado.