LocationsHigh-Level Consultation for TICAD9 with the African Diplomatic Corps in Japan
April 22, 2025
As part of the preparatory process for TICAD 9, a high-level consultation was co-organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Embassy of the Republic of Senegal in Japan. The event brought together more than 30 representatives from African embassies and representations in Japan, along with several youth organizations. The consultation aimed to share key issues and priorities of mutual concern between Africa and the international community ahead of TICAD 9, scheduled for August 2025. It also served to deepen solidarity among stakeholders.
The African Diplomatic Corps (ADC) in Japan used the opportunity to align their national development priorities with global agendas, contributing to the further strengthening of Africa-Japan relations through TICAD 9. In addition, the consultation reaffirmed TICAD’s legacy of over 30 years and highlighted its role in promoting African ownership and international partnerships. Discussions focused on TICAD’s core principles, including shared prosperity through co-creation and the promotion of multilateralism, and featured active strategic dialogue between African diplomats and youth participants.
Pictured from left to right are Mr. Christian David Kpondehou, H.E. Dr. Pierre Ndzengue, H.E. Mr. Jean-Antoine Diouf, Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, H.E. Dr. Lukumwena Nsenda, and H.E. Mr. Stewart Nyakotyo.
The session began with an address from the Chair of the consultation, H.E. Mr. Jean-Antoine Diouf, Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal to Japan and Chair of the TICAD Committee of the ADC. He emphasized TICAD’s 30-year legacy as a dynamic platform for African ownership, multilateral cooperation, and international development. The chair underscored the critical role of TICAD 9 in addressing post-pandemic recovery and highlighted the need to strengthen key sectors such as trade, investment, industrialization, agriculture, education, and technology. Youth engagement was identified as essential in shaping Africa's future, with a focus on creating opportunities for youth employment and economic empowerment.
Next, H.E. Dr. Pierre NDZENGUE, Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps (ADC), delivered the welcoming remarks, and he expressed his gratitude for the organization of the consultative meeting. He underscored the unique blend of multilateral and bilateral elements in the TICAD process and highlighted UNDP’s vital role as a co-organizer. He recalled the three pillars of Agenda 2063—agricultural productivity, commercialization, and industrialization/urbanization—and emphasized that industrialization, driven by technology transfer and youth job creation, should be a top priority for Africa’s development.
Later, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP Assistant Administrator & Regional Director for Africa, delivered a keynote speech on Africa’s role in global development. She advocated for the continent to transition from being a recipient of aid to becoming a proactive and confident global partner. She also demonstrated that the UNDP’s vision for TICAD is built on five fundamental pillars that guide its approach, ensuring its impact resonates across the African continent. These pillars include:
- Promoting African ownership through an African-owned platform
- Fostering partnerships with the private sector through a public-private dialogue mechanism—a new form of multilateralism
- Aligning with global trends as an international development forum
- Serving as an intellectual platform for co-creation and innovation
- A future-centric forum that engages young people as current and next-generation leaders
Additionally, the key priorities for the upcoming TICAD were identified, including sustainable energy, digital transformation, and the development of startup ecosystems. The need for collective action and dialogue was emphasized to ensure that Africa plays a central role in shaping global development and peace.
The conversation also highlighted the central role of youth in the upcoming TICAD. Mr. Christian David Kpondehou, representative of the TICAD9 Youth Policy Proposal, introduced their Youth Agenda 2055 and their Action Plan. He advocated for the establishment of a dedicated youth dialogue within the TICAD framework, as well as the creation of a Youth Foundation to pool resources for capacity building. Additionally, the importance of organizing a pre-conference event to integrate youth voices into the decision-making of TICAD was emphasized. The participants agreed that TICAD’s future success will depend on the active participation of young people from both Africa and Japan.
During the discussions, participants focused on reinforcing the Africa-Japan partnership, particularly through investments in infrastructure and initiatives that enhance intra-African trade and regional integration. There was a strong call for prioritizing sectors where Africa has a comparative advantage, such as agriculture, food value addition, and transformative technologies for food security. Expanding opportunities for women and youth, especially in rural areas, was highlighted as crucial for sustainable development. The need for a more practical, localized approach was also raised, particularly regarding industry localization, technology transfer, and energy solutions tailored to Africa's needs. The importance of technical education and the potential of generative AI were identified as key topics for future collaboration.
The session also explored broader themes of solidarity, equality, and sustainability, with calls for alignment with global priorities such as addressing climate change, fostering inclusive economic growth, and promoting digital innovation. There was a consensus on the need to move beyond general statements and implement concrete actions that address Africa’s investment challenges and support youth development, capacity building, and startup growth. Finally, discussions underscored the importance of infrastructure development, particularly in terms of connecting African countries and fostering true collaboration. The need to ensure Africa’s internal connectivity and strengthen its bilateral relationships with Japan was highlighted.
Finally, by H.E. Dr. Lukumwena Nsenda, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Vice Chair of the TICAD Committee, delivered the closing remarks by acknowledging the insightful contributions of the speakers. He reminded everyone that TICAD is the sole platform established post-independence that has positioned Africa as a key global player. He emphasized that identifying challenges is the first step toward formulating effective solutions and that true ownership of the TICAD process—encompassing decision-making power, follow-up mechanisms, and proper validation—is essential. He expressed optimism that by harnessing Africa’s potential through collective action, the continent can overcome its challenges and transform its future.
The session concluded with a call for further linking TICAD’s dialogue to broader international financial and development challenges. In particular, strong emphasis was placed on the need for reforms of financial systems, the promotion of sustainable financing, and international tax reforms to address illicit financial flows.
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