African Union, Japan hold talks on cooperation on peace and infrastructure
The African Union (AU) has strengthened its partnership with Japan following a series of high-level engagements at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development.
During discussions with the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), AU Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat’s representative, Chairperson Youssouf, underscored the need to deepen ties between Africa and Japan.
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In a statement on August 23, 2025, AU revealed that the chairperson highlighted peace and security, infrastructure, innovation, and human capital development as critical areas where Japan’s technical expertise could accelerate Africa’s transformation.
“In talks with the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Chairperson Youssouf explored avenues for enhanced collaboration in peace and security, infrastructure, innovation, and human capital development, stressing the importance of leveraging Japan’s technical expertise for Africa’s transformation.”
In a separate meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, the Chairperson commended Japan’s long-standing role as a trusted partner in Africa’s development. Prime Minister Ishiba reaffirmed Japan’s support for Africa’s strategic priorities, particularly after the AU’s accession to the G20.
Both leaders committed to expanding cooperation in trade, technology, and knowledge exchange, while advancing policy dialogues under the TICAD framework.
Furthermore, Chairperson Youssouf also held discussions with Muktar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), focusing on the role of private capital in driving Africa’s economic transformation.
“Their discussions centred on the role of private capital in Africa’s economic transformation, including investments in infrastructure development, agriculture, green transition, and digital innovation. Both leaders agreed to intensify AU–IFC collaboration to unlock financing for African entrepreneurs and scale up opportunities in priority sectors,” read the statement.
TICAD9
Delivering a keynote address at the TICAD9 opening ceremony, Youssouf underscored Africa’s commitment to Agenda 2063 and highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a “catalyst of energy, opportunity, and investment.”
He called for bold, innovative partnerships that would accelerate digital transformation, expand infrastructure, and empower Africa’s youth.
Throughout TICAD9, AU Commissioners and senior officials actively engaged in thematic forums on food systems, climate resilience, energy access, digital inclusion, and peace and security, reaffirming Africa’s vision to transform the continent while contributing to global solutions.
The conference concluded with the adoption of the Yokohama Declaration, which reaffirmed Africa–Japan cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, trade, technology, peace, and security. Chairperson Youssouf hailed the declaration as a reflection of TICAD’s spirit—mutual respect, practical collaboration, and shared responsibility for a fairer global order.
