- TICAD is an initiative of the Government of Japan and through the TICAD process, Japan aims to deepen its relationships with African countries.
- The first conference took place in 1993.
Image: OPCS
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi is in Tokyo, Japan, for the ninth Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD-9) ministerial meeting.
The meeting begins today.
Mudavadi is leading the Kenyan delegation participating in discussions and deliberations anchored on key themes of the TICAD-9 namely society, peace and stability and the economy.
The focus is on laying the foundation for the realization of a stable and sustainable future for societies, advance critical discussions on peace and stability to entrench human dignity and human security and further tackle issues that promote trade, industry and investment as a gateway towards economic prosperity for Africa.
“We aim to go beyond just discussions or debates by trying to understand the challenges facing African Countries and together with the partnership with Japan through TICAD, we work towards finding solutions that will be best for everyone,” Mudavadi said.
Discussions on global governance that promote a free and open international order based on the rule of law and with a reflection on the global dynamics are also expected to form part of the meeting.
The ministerial meeting will offer a unique opportunity for sharing priorities and innovative ideas while giving due consideration to African Common Positions on various matters affecting the continent and seeking practical solutions to some of the challenges.
According to Mudavadi, exploring investment risks in Africa and unveiling the true potential and challenges that lie ahead will inspire Japan to stimulate and increase Japanese awareness of and interest in the African business and investment landscape, while promoting a better understanding of the Japanese private sector, in line with the development aspirations of TICAD.
While in Japan, Mudavadi is expected to advance Kenya’s agenda in various areas of interest and partnerships focusing on placing Kenya as a strategic economic hub within Africa.
He will also hold several bilateral meetings at the sidelines of the summit to cement Kenya’s position on matters of continental peace and security, climate change, and digital and infrastructure connectivity among others.
He will later be meeting several African foreign ministers in relation to advancing Kenya’s AUC candidature.
This year’s ministerial meeting brings together Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the African Union Member States and the Japanese delegation, together with representatives of TICAD co-organizers, namely the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC), as well as with international, regional organizations and the private sector and civil society organizations from Japan and Africa.
The ministerial meeting sets the tempo for the TICAD-9 Heads of State meeting to be held in Yokohama on 20–22 August, 2025.
TICAD is an initiative of the Government of Japan and through the TICAD process, Japan aims to deepen its relationships with African countries.
The first conference took place in 1993.