Keypoints:
- TICAD 9 shows Africa’s rising agency
- Leaders push debt, climate and UN reform
- Japan emerges as key partner in multipolar world
THE Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), held in Yokohama from August 20 to 22, 2025, marked a turning point in Africa’s relations with its partners. What stood out was not simply Japan’s pledges of investment, but Africa’s determination to shape the terms of engagement.
The summit’s theme — Co-create innovative solutions with Africa — captured the shift. In the words of the joint declaration: ‘We underscore the importance of ensuring that TICAD outcomes reflect a balanced integration of the shared vision and mutual interest of AU Member States and Japan in the spirit of equitable partnership.’
Africa’s hedging strategy
For African leaders, TICAD 9 was about widening choices in a contested global order. With China entrenched as the continent’s largest trading partner, the US under President Donald Trump reframing engagement around ‘trade not aid’, and Europe struggling to redefine its role, Africa is hedging by diversifying its partnerships.
Unlike Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has drawn criticism for debt traps, or Washington’s conditional trade preferences, Tokyo projects itself as a steady partner without colonial baggage. That difference mattered in Yokohama. As the declaration put it, ‘TICAD has provided a unique multilateral platform… and supported creativity and resilience across Africa to overcome the impacts of various crises.’
Japan’s search for relevance
For Japan, the stakes were clear. Facing demographic decline and squeezed by Chinese influence in Asia, Tokyo is betting on Africa’s demographic growth and resource wealth.
The declaration outlined support for industrial parks, agro-processing, digital infrastructure and renewable grids. It also highlighted collaboration on artificial intelligence, reflecting Tokyo’s intent to co-develop new technology ecosystems. Japan’s interest is practical — secure supply chains, diversified markets and diplomatic allies.
Diplomatically, Tokyo aligned itself with Africa’s long-standing demand for reform of the UN Security Council. The declaration was explicit: ‘We acknowledge the need to redress the historical injustice against Africa with regard to its representation in the Security Council, and reaffirm support for full African representation… not less than two permanent seats with all the prerogatives and privileges.’
Debt, minerals and climate as bargaining chips
Africa’s voice was sharpest on debt and finance. Leaders called for ‘credit rating agencies to refine their methodologies… and positively reflect the long-term debt sustainability benefits of voluntary debt restructurings.’ They welcomed the creation of the African Credit Rating Agency as a counterbalance to external arbiters.
Climate finance was tied directly to Africa’s natural resources. The declaration stated plainly: ‘We advocate for a fair and equitable partnership that supports local processing and value addition of these resources within Africa, ensuring that the benefits accrue to African economies.’
By linking minerals like cobalt and lithium to the global energy transition, Africa positioned itself as indispensable to climate solutions — and insisted that value must remain on the continent.
Security through sovereignty
Security discussions also reflected Africa’s assertion of agency. The declaration reaffirmed that ‘coordinated, gradual and context-specific actions are essential to reverse [instability] and fully harness emerging opportunities.’
Japan’s support for AU-led missions in Somalia was welcomed, but leaders went further, pressing the UN for predictable financing of African operations. The emphasis on sovereignty was deliberate. Africa wants to address terrorism, piracy and cybercrime on its own terms, with external partners in support but not in control.
A multipolar reset
TICAD 9 must be read as part of Africa’s wider embrace of multipolarity. The continent is not choosing between Beijing and Washington, but positioning itself as a decisive player in reshaping global rules.
Japan benefits from Africa’s search for alternatives, while Africa gains leverage from Tokyo’s need for allies and resources. As the declaration noted: ‘We are committed to co-creating and promoting a conducive business environment and accelerate inclusive industrialisation.’
Looking to TICAD 10
The summit concluded with a commitment to hold TICAD 10 in Africa, underscoring African ownership of the process. Gratitude was expressed to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and the people of Yokohama, but the lasting impression was of Africa steering the agenda.
By insisting on debt reform, climate finance, mineral value addition and UN reform, Africa used TICAD 9 to rewrite the rules of engagement.
As one passage from the declaration put it: ‘Africa is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions… We call for global action to tackle climate change and its impacts on Africa.’
This was no longer a summit about aid. It was a summit about Africa’s agency — and its determination to reshape the future of global partnerships.
