Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023, TICAD remains committed to fostering discussions and building momentum among diverse stakeholders from Africa, Japan, and the global community to drive the progress of African development.

In commemoration of this milestone, AUDA-NEPAD and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have undertaken a joint survey to validate the significance and achievements of TICAD over the past 30 years. The survey aims to identify key achievements, and major challenges and provide insights for the future development of Africa. As part of these efforts, a side event was collaboratively organised by AUDA-NEPAD and JICA on the margins of the AU Summit in February 2024 to discuss the outcomes of the first phase of the survey.

H.E. Mrs Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD, commended the efforts of the TICAD Partners and their immense support towards issues of sustainable development across the African continent. She reminded all that the African continent was still vulnerable to political, environmental, social and economic challenges.

Therefore, she called on the Partners of TICAD to reinforce and deliver on the principles guiding the partnership which entails mutual respect, cooperation, and shared prosperity as enshrined in the Agenda 2063 - to eliminate the challenges Africa faces whilst enhancing the opportunities that Africa possesses.

She also called upon the partnership to give high priority and redouble its efforts to support the acceleration of the seven Moonshoot in the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 which is the priority for the next decade. In this regard, she highlighted the need for TICAD to look into the necessity of harnessing Africa’s human capital through youth and women empowerment, to promote inclusive growth that leaves no one behind. Additionally, the CEO encouraged partners to continue working with the Union to address the root causes of conflict and instability to foster a culture of peace, reconciliation and discipline across the continent as well as work jointly to combat climate change and environmental degradation.

She concluded her remarks extending warm and heartfelt congratulations to the conveners and partners of TICAD for a remarkable 30 years and a beautiful, continued friendship ahead.

She indicated that the future of Africa is exciting and full of optimism, determination, opportunities and a renewed sense of purpose.  “Together, we can overcome the challenges ahead and realise the vision of a truly free,  united, and prosperous Africa”, she said.

Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. FUKAZAWA Yoichi, underscored Japan’s unwavering commitment to proactively address the diverse challenges faced by individual countries. He highlighted Japan’s intention to foster collaboration specifically for the African continent. This commitment is particularly crucial as part of the preparatory efforts leading up to the TICAD ministerial meeting scheduled for 2024 and the subsequent TICAD-9 in 2025.

In his statement, Mr. Steve Patrick Lalande, Director for Partnership and Resource Mobilisation, African union Commission (AUC), emphasised that the historic occasion not only marks three decades of collaboration and partnership between Africa and Japan but was also an opportune time to celebrate progress made to date.

Mr. NAKAMURA Toshiyuki, Special Advisor to the JICA President, outlined the development and impact of JICA’s cooperation over the last 30 years.   The speech highlighted the fruitful partnership between JICA and AUDA-NEPAD, showcasing the collaborative efforts that have played a pivotal role in the TICAD process.

Moderated by Dr. Gideon Nimako, the panel emphasised on the accomplishments, tangible impacts, and future direction of the TICAD process.

Dr. Msingathi Sipuka, Chief of Staff and Mr. Amine Idriss Adoum, Director of Infrastructure, Connectivity, and Industrialisation both representing AUDA-NEPAD reflected the institutional and technical development through the TICAD process. They acknowledged the significant strides that have been made in various sectors, from infrastructure development and healthcare to education and trade.

Ms. Selamawit Solomon, Deputy Managing Director of Kaizen Excellence Centre, highlighted that, TICAD is dedicated to fostering not only economic development but also broader and deeper social changes, contributing to the comprehensive and sustainable future of African nations and the establishment of the TICAD Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is a testament to it. Finally, Mr. Shigeki Komatsubara, Resident Representative of UNDP Tanzania emphasised the flexibility of the Platform and desire to engage with the private sector and the international community in addressing emerging agendas for Africa’s development.

In conclusion, the representatives of the AUDA-NEPAD called upon the platform to increase its efforts and align with the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP), emphasising that, the Agenda 2063 STYIP is Africa’s development Plan and will guide as well as determine the nature of collaboration and strategic partnership for the next decade’s priorities.   

The hybrid event was attended by AU Member States, Development Partners, International Organisations, Private Sector Entities, and Civil Society Organisations. This endeavour will surely be crucial as part of the preparatory efforts leading up to the TICAD-9 in 2025 and beyond.