Japan-Africa Summit Held In London

In preparation for the TICAD summit, the RAS is delighted to host this event in London to continue the conversation about the future of Africa and its relationship with Japan.

The Royal African Society (RAS) will on Tuesday, July 19 host an event entitled “Japan & Africa: A new kind of relationship?” in association with the Government of Japan. The event is a pre-cursor to the 6th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), which will hold in Nairobi, Kenya from 27-28 August – the first ever TICAD summit to be held in Africa.

Tuesday’s event will feature two renowned practitioners in the field of international development, who will discuss the future of Africa. Professor Akihiko Tanaka, University of Tokyo and former President of JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), will appear in conversation with Charles O. Boamah, CFO and Vice President of the African Development Bank.

Speaking on the event, Professor Tanaka said: “Throughout the period since Japan started the TICAD process in 1993, Japan has consistently worked closely with the governments and peoples of Africa for sustainable and inclusive development.”

Professor Tanaka believes that African countries will become invaluable to Japan in the coming decades, as growing business partners with huge market potential. 

Professor Tanaka will spell out his four point plan for Africa:

Charles Boamah said: “TICAD VI 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.”

Japan has now maintained a commitment to promoting peace and stability in Africa through collaborative partnerships for over twenty years. The emphasis of this partnership has always been on African ownership of Africa’s future and ensuring that global commitments from the international community are upheld.