by KOUASSI COULIBALY i
ABIDJAN – THE African Development Bank (AfDB) will play a central role at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), which kicks off on Wednesday (today) up until Friday, 22nd in Yokohama, Japan.
The Bank will emphasize partnerships and investment as Africa seeks to close critical financing gaps and strengthen resilience against economic and climate shocks.
TICAD, co-hosted by the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the African Union Commission, has since 1993 served as a catalyst for Africa’s development agenda, largely through grant aid, technical assistance, and investment partnerships. This year’s forum comes at a decisive moment for the continent.
AfDB’s delegation includes senior executives such as Kevin Kariuki, Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth; Solomon Quaynor, Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and Industrialisation; and Nnenna Nwabufo, Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery.
A key highlight will be the signing of an extension to the Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA) initiative, launched with Japan in 2005.
EPSA has mobilized billions in co-financing for African infrastructure and private sector projects, with support from institutions including JICA, JBIC and NEXI.
EPSA6, expected to be formalized during TICAD9, will deepen collaboration in areas such as co-financing, non-sovereign loans, and private sector investment.
The Bank will also showcase the Africa Investment Forum, its flagship marketplace for mobilizing capital. A special session last year in Morocco highlighted Africa’s potential as an investment destination for Japanese firms, focusing on agricultural innovation and green growth.
Energy access will feature prominently. At a pre-conference event hosted by JICA, AfDB Director Wale Shonibare underscored Africa’s vast electricity deficit, noting that 600 million people—two out of three Africans—lack reliable power.
He stressed the urgency of investment in regional power pools and renewable solutions to unlock inclusive growth.
The Bank will co-host several sessions in Yokohama, covering climate resilience, industrialisation, green hydrogen, health, agriculture, and education.
By aligning with Japanese partners and global institutions, AfDB aims to channel investment towards its “High 5” priorities: powering Africa, feeding Africa, industrialising Africa, integrating Africa, and improving the quality of life for its people.
With TICAD9, AfDB seeks to cement Japan’s role as a long-term partner in Africa’s transformation while positioning the continent as a frontier for global investment and sustainable development.
– CAJ News
