AfDB to Spotlight Africa at TICAD9 in Japan.

Wednesday, 3rd September 2025

By inAfrika Reporter

The African Development Bank is preparing to play a key role at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), scheduled to take place in Yokohama, Japan. Co-hosted by the United Nations, World Bank, UNDP, and African Union Commission, the conference has been a vital platform for Africa’s development agenda since 1993.

This year’s forum comes at a pivotal moment as Africa grapples with investment shortfalls and climate-related challenges. The AfDB delegation will include senior vice presidents and economists who will lead discussions on energy, private sector growth, and resilience.

Over the years, TICAD has evolved into a hub for grant aid, technical assistance, and private sector partnerships. A central focus will be Japan’s Enhanced Private Sector Assistance for Africa initiative, launched in 2005, which has mobilized billions in co-financing for African infrastructure, businesses, and social development projects.

The AfDB will promote investment opportunities through the Africa Investment Forum and organize side events on themes such as green hydrogen, energy access, agriculture, and health. A special session on energy access, hosted with JICA, will spotlight Africa’s stark challenges: over 600 million people still lack access to electricity, and 900 million lack clean cooking solutions.

AfDB officials will stress the urgency of scaling up energy investment, highlighting regional power pools and innovative financing as pathways to sustainable development. The Bank will also showcase success stories from EPSA and underline opportunities for Japanese investors in Africa’s fast-growing markets.

By leveraging TICAD’s global reach and Japan’s long-standing partnership, the AfDB aims to mobilize more capital, foster innovation, and accelerate Africa’s path toward inclusive and resilient growth.