{"id":90598,"date":"2025-08-20T17:44:40","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T17:44:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=90598"},"modified":"2025-08-20T17:44:40","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T17:44:40","slug":"africa-and-japan-co-creating-a-future-through-youth-innovation-and-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=90598","title":{"rendered":"Africa and Japan: Co-creating a future through youth, innovation, and partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>5 Minute, 38 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>
\n

As the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) convenes in Yokohama, the world turns its attention once again to Africa\u2014a continent rich in diversity, resilience, and promise. <\/p>\n

This year\u2019s conference arrives at a critical juncture. Global challenges such as climate change, geopolitical fragmentation, and economic inequality are intensifying. In this context, TICAD9 offers a vital platform to reimagine development cooperation\u2014one rooted in mutual respect, innovation, and strategic partnership.<\/p>\n

At the heart of this vision lies Africa\u2019s youth. By 2050, one in four people globally will be African. This demographic shift presents a historic opportunity: a \u201cdemographic dividend\u201d powered by a young, dynamic workforce. But this potential can only be realized through sustained investment in education, healthcare, and job creation. Without it, the same demographic forces could deepen poverty and instability.<\/p>\n

JICA\u2019s Vision: Homegrown Development and Human Security<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since the launch of Japan\u2019s Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 1954, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has worked in over 190 countries, fostering development through infrastructure, human resource development, and technical cooperation. Japan\u2019s ODA, led by JICA, has long championed the principle of \u201chomegrown development.\u201d This approach emphasizes empowering local communities to create their own solutions, rather than imposing external models.<\/p>\n

JICA\u2019s programs in Africa exemplify this philosophy. The Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD), launched at TICAD IV in 2008, doubled rice production across the continent in a decade. Now expanded to 32 countries, CARD aims to double production again to 56 million tons by 2030\u2014transforming Africa from a food-dependent region to one of self-sufficiency.<\/p>\n

Other initiatives like SHEP (Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion) and KAIZEN (a productivity improvement method adapted from Japanese business practices) have empowered farmers and workers to improve their livelihoods and productivity with minimal resources. These programs are now led by African trainers, spreading sustainable development across the continent.<\/p>\n

Underlying all of JICA\u2019s efforts is the concept of\u00a0human security<\/strong>\u2014a guiding principle reaffirmed in Japan\u2019s revised Development Cooperation Charter in 2023. Human security means ensuring that individuals are free from fear and want, and can live with dignity. In a world facing compounded crises, from pandemics to climate shocks, this principle is more relevant than ever.<\/p>\n

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A New Era of Collaboration<\/strong><\/p>\n

Africa\u2019s youth are not just beneficiaries\u2014they are innovators. Across the continent, young entrepreneurs are leveraging digital technologies to solve local problems and launch startups. Recognizing this, JICA launched\u00a0Project NINJA (Next Innovation with Japan)<\/strong>\u00a0in 2020, connecting African startups with Japanese investors and expertise. In 2025, JICA signed its first Grant Aid agreement with Nigeria to support local startups, marking a new chapter in Africa-Japan innovation collaboration.<\/p>\n

At TICAD9, JICA will unveil the\u00a0IDEA (Impact Investing for Development of Emerging Africa)<\/strong>\u00a0Initiative, designed to mobilize private capital for socio-economic development and climate action. Complementing this, Japanese government amended the JICA Act in April 2025, enabling JICA to take financial risks and catalyze private investment\u2014an unprecedented move in Japan\u2019s development cooperation history.<\/p>\n

Youth Exchange: Building Trust and Shared Futures<\/strong><\/p>\n

Human exchange is central to the Africa-Japan partnership. Since 2013, the\u00a0ABE <\/strong>Initiative (African Business Education Initiative for Youth)<\/strong>\u00a0has enabled over 1,900 African students to study in Japan and intern with Japanese companies. One standout alumna is Ms. Pelonomi Moiloa from South Africa, who founded \u201cLelapa AI\u201d to develop language technologies for under-resourced African languages. Her work earned her a spot on TIME\u2019s 100 AI talents of 2023.<\/p>\n

Building on ABE, JICA will launch\u00a0TOMONI Africa<\/strong>\u00a0at TICAD9. \u201cTomoni\u201d means \u201ctogether\u201d and \u201cfriends\u201d in Japanese, symbolizing the spirit of mutual learning and collaboration. TOMONI Africa will expand face-to-face exchanges between African and Japanese youth, fostering friendships and joint ventures.<\/p>\n

This spirit is already alive. In May 2025, JICA and Sapporo Kaisei High School hosted the \u201cJapan-Africa Youth Camp,\u201d where 300 Japanese students met 20 African peers to discuss culture, development, and future cooperation. Such interactions break down barriers and build lasting understanding.<\/p>\n

Volunteers and Multilateralism: A Legacy of Partnership<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since 1965, over 16,000 Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) have served in Africa, contributing across sectors from education to agriculture. Many return to Japan with renewed purpose, launching social enterprises and revitalizing local communities. One example is Ms. Aya Tsuboi, who founded SUNDA Technology after her service as a JOCV in Uganda. Her IoT-based water payment system ensures sustainable access to clean water in Africa and was recognized by Forbes Japan NEXT 100 in 2023.<\/p>\n

TICAD\u2019s multilateral format\u2014bringing together governments, civil society, and international organizations\u2014remains a cornerstone of its success. JICA\u2019s partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, signed in 2022, aims to create a unified trade zone across the continent. JICA also promotes\u00a0Corridor Development<\/strong>, connecting cities to boost economic activity, and supports\u00a0One Stop Border Posts<\/strong>\u00a0to streamline trade.<\/p>\n

Beyond Africa, JICA facilitates\u00a0triangular cooperation<\/strong>\u00a0with countries like Egypt and Brazil to share their expertise across continents. In 2024, JICA and Indonesia signed a memorandum to jointly support African development, highlighting the growing potential of South-South collaboration.<\/p>\n

A Shared Future Built on Respect and Co-Creation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Africa stands at a crossroads. Its challenges\u2014poverty, conflict, governance\u2014are real. But its opportunities\u2014youth, innovation, resilience\u2014are equally powerful. For Japan, engaging with Africa is not charity, but a strategic investment in a shared future.<\/p>\n

As TICAD9 unfolds, the message is clear: Africa and Japan can co-create solutions to global challenges. Guided by human security, powered by youth, and built on mutual respect, this partnership offers a model for inclusive, sustainable development.<\/p>\n

The future is not something to be given\u2014it is something to be built, together.<\/p>\n

(message from Chief Representative of JICA Ghana)<\/p>\n

In Ghana, JICA ha\uff53 been active over 60 years since 1963. We have been working in various fields including Infrastructure, Agriculture, Industry\/SME, Health, Education and Governance. Throughout our operation and in all our projects, JICA has continuously valued people centered approach and emphasized the importance of capacity development, self-reliance and sustainability. \u00a0<\/p>\n

More than 300 Ghanaians have benefited from JICA\u2019s scholarship program (ABE Initiative, JDS, etc.) and studied in Japanese Universities. More than 33,000 SMEs has received KAIZEN trainings to enhance their business. KAIZEN is also introduced in hospitals, and public sectors to improve their service delivery. Since 1977, 1,554 JOCV has been dispatched to Ghana. \u00a0These are just a few examples of JICA beneficiaries.<\/p>\n

As development issues becomes more global and complex, it is our hope that these beneficiaries of JICA projects will become the bridge bringing Ghana and Japan together, to co-create innovative solutions, as this TICAD 9 theme promotes. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n \n
\n \n \"Happy\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Happy <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n \n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Sad\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Sad <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Excited\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Excited <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Sleepy\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Sleepy <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n \n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Angry\"\n <\/a>\n
Angry<\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Surprise\"\n <\/a>\n
Surprise<\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\"AfricaAs the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) convenes in Yokohama, the world turns its attention once again to Africa\u2014a continent rich in diversity, resilience, and promise. This year\u2019s conference arrives at a critical juncture. Global challenges such as climate change, geopolitical fragmentation, and economic inequality are intensifying. In this context, TICAD9 offers [\u2026]<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_2277560469115098_106292521332774":"","twitter_aToxNzczMzI3Njk4OTg4ODUxMjAxOw==_1773327698988851200":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1972,1910,3982,6967,10,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-90598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-africa","category-international","category-japan","category-partnership","category-politics","category-popular"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90598","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=90598"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90598\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=90598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=90598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=90598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}