The African Development Bank (AfDB) has placed partnerships and sustainable investment at the heart of its agenda as it participates in the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), which opened today in Yokohama, Japan. The three-day gathering comes at a time when Africa is working to close investment gaps and strengthen resilience against global economic and climate shocks, and the Bank is positioning itself as a central driver of that transformation.
For more than three decades, TICAD has served as a key platform for advancing Africa’s development agenda through international cooperation, and Japan has become a critical partner in that effort. The African Development Bank’s collaboration with Japan has deepened over the years, with initiatives such as the Enhanced Private Sector Assistance for Africa (EPSA) channeling billions of dollars into co-financing projects that have boosted businesses, infrastructure, and capital resources across the continent. A new phase of the agreement, EPSA6, is expected to be signed during this year’s conference, underscoring Japan’s long-term commitment to Africa’s growth.
Senior executives from the African Development Bank, including Vice Presidents Kevin Kariuki, Solomon Quaynor and Kevin Urama, are among the key participants in TICAD9. Their presence signals the Bank’s intent to strengthen cooperation with Japanese institutions such as JICA, JBIC and NEXI, which have supported transformative projects in energy, transport, health and climate resilience in line with the Bank’s High 5 development goals.
Energy access remains a central theme of the Bank’s engagement at the conference. On the eve of TICAD9, a side event organized by JICA and partners drew attention to Africa’s persistent energy deficit. Wale Shonibare, Director of the AfDB’s Energy Financial Solutions, Policy and Regulation Department, reminded participants that 600 million Africans still lack reliable electricity, while 900 million have no access to clean cooking. He emphasized that without reliable energy, critical infrastructure and development goals cannot be achieved, but also highlighted the potential of regional power pools as an opportunity for innovation and investment.
The AfDB is also using TICAD9 to highlight opportunities for Japanese investors in emerging sectors. Through the Africa Investment Forum, the Bank is promoting Africa as a dynamic investment destination, building on momentum from last year’s Market Days in Morocco, where Japanese companies and institutions engaged in discussions on agricultural innovation and green growth. This year, side events will encourage investment in areas such as green hydrogen, sustainable transport, healthcare, agriculture and education.
Over the course of the conference, the African Development Bank will participate in a series of high-level sessions, including a policy dialogue on harnessing Africa’s potential and a business forum focused on deepening Japan–Africa partnerships. Both discussions will explore how international collaboration, anchored by initiatives like EPSA, can accelerate the continent’s progress toward inclusive, resilient and sustainable development.
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As TICAD9 unfolds, the African Development Bank is making clear that Africa’s development trajectory depends not only on domestic reforms and resilience, but also on the strength of global partnerships. Japan’s role as a longstanding ally is being redefined through this platform, providing Africa with renewed opportunities to scale up investment, expand access to energy, and drive sustainable growth in the face of global challenges.
