Japan says it is dedicated to more ‘sustainable development’ for Africa as it strives to be a relevant and distinct partner to other world powers seeking a share of the continent.

Last week, Japan hosted the 9th ministerial conference of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad-9), which brought together foreign ministers from around Africa.

The Tokyo gathering, as is customary, was held in preparation for the Ninth Summit, which will be held in Yokohama in August 2025. Ticad was founded 31 years ago to assist establish a forum for talks about African development.

Since then, several world powers have announced their summits, including China, the United States, India, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Last Monday, Japan reaffirmed its previous year’s appeal to not exploit Africa and to strive for Africa’s representation at the highest levels, including the UN Security Council, where it lacks a permanent seat. However, it suffers a trade deficit that benefits it, which African leaders have frequently discussed.

Some ministers acknowledged Japan’s contribution to Africa’s development but emphasised that global shifts require the two sides to modify their relationship.

According to Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, such collaboration should prioritise job creation for the country’s growing youth population, advance agricultural development, foster trade, and drive digital transformation – all of which are critical for promoting inclusive and long-term growth.

“I proposed the integration of funding and technology in agriculture to enhance the sector’s resilience to climate change and stressed the importance of addressing the issues faced by youth and women from a south –south cooperation perspective,” Mr Mudavadi, said after the meeting in Tokyo.

Kenya, one of Africa’s most indebted countries, has been advocating for a rethinking of the global financial architecture, including in lending institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, of which Japan is a key member, and frequently operates in a group of lenders known as the Paris Club. Mudavadi made the same call in Japan.

Mudavadi issued the same call in Japan. A Joint Communiqué issued after the meeting on Thursday last week said Tokyo seeks a strong partnership between the African Union and its members, which it said will be under three main pillars of Society, Peace and Stability, and Economy. Ministers from nations including Kenya were in attendance to explore how to “co-create innovative solutions with Africa.”

“We jointly explored innovative solutions for Africa that reflect, and respond to, current global challenges,” read the joint statement by Japan representative and 42 countries, including Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi.

“In this context, we took four overarching approaches into consideration, namely connectivity; women, youth and Women, Peace and Security (WPS)public-private partnerships.”

Africa has been a key global region for Japanese trade and investment. Japan had considerable historical experience with Africa but had little interest in economic ties with the continent other than the development of raw materials.