Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 7) August 28 -30 |27 August 2019
Yokohama welcomes African heads of state, business leaders to share experience, discuss cooperation
Heads of State including President Danny Faure, business leaders seeking to expand and develop with the support of technology and innovation, those seeking to improve the quality of their products and find business partnerships, experience and new markets are all converging on the Japanese city of Yokohama this week for TICAD 7.
A delegation from the Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) is representing the Seychelles business community during TICAD7.
Since its inception in 1993 the conference has been held every five years until the TICAD V in 2013 and every three years since the TICAD VI in August, 2016 which was for the first time held in Africa, in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
The city of Yokohama has hosted TICADs IV and V in 2008 and 2013 respectively and it is welcoming TICAD 7.
Over the years the conferences have evolved into a significant global framework to ease the realisation of measures to promote African development under the principles of African “ownership” and international “partnership”.
TICAD has become an important component in Japan's commitment to foster peace, stability, technological development and entrepreneurship in Africa.
The largest international conference to be held in Japan is taking place under the theme ‘Africa and Yokohama, Sharing Passion for the Future’.
As Africa experiences dynamic growth, through the conference Yokohama will share its vast experience and technologies to help resolve urban issues on the African continent.
The city is cooperating in high quality urban development efforts, deepening its ties with several African countries through exchange programmes and capacity-building of human resource on the continent.
TICAD is co-organised by the Japanese government, the United Nations, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the African Union Commission. Its stakeholders include all African countries and many development partners, including international and regional organisations, partner countries, the private sector, and civil society organisations.
By hosting the conference the city of Yokohama will :
- boost business support and promote participation by women
- expand international technological cooperation
- enhance citizen exchange activities and foster development and empowerment of the future generations of both Africa and Japan.
During the three-day conference the delegates will take part in a series of high- level discussions, networking and business forums as well as visit the different pavilions set up by both businesses from Africa and Japan.
Altogether for the seventh TICAD this year around 200 Japanese companies eager to expand business in Africa are showcasing their products and services at the Japan Africa Business Expo which is one of the different side events to take place tomorrow, Wednesday August 28 at Pacifico Yokohama Exhibition Hall adjacent to the conference.
Organised by Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and its partners, the business forum which will take place at Yokohama Bay Hotel not far off will welcome business leaders from both Africa and Japan to share the potential and vision of business on the continent. A special session to introduce the development of new business areas and methods through collaboration between African start-ups and companies from various countries will also be held to spur the interest of Japanese companies in African businesses.