Japan will work more closely with Kenya and other developing countries in Africa to achieve a sustainable and inclusive development, a University of Tokyo professor said ahead of the sixth edition of Tokyo International conference on African development in Nairobi.
The professor and former Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Akihiko Tanaka said Japan has a four point plan to bolster its ties with Africa.
Key among the plans would be to ensure Africa consumers what it has produced and engage in inclusive development of economic infrastructure.
Japan would also help developing nations in the continent accelerate growth and build a robust security system through provision of good governance and security.
“African countries will become invaluable to Japan in the coming decades, as growing business partners with huge market potential,” said Tanaka.
He said Japan has consistently worked with African government for sustainable and inclusive development since inception of TICAD over the last two decades.
The Asian nation has been promoting peace and stability in Africa through collaborative partnerships with emphasis on African ownership of Africa’s future, a London conference organized by The Royal African Society (RAS) was told.
TICAD VI scheduled for August is happening in less than a year after important global agreements on Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Change.
“Arguably the greatest opportunities for positive actions to meet these global targets are in Africa, which is why deeper and innovative relationships with development partners such as Japan will be critical,” said African Development Bank Chief Finance Officer and Vice President Charles O. Boamah.
