Yokohama, Japan — Japan has pledged US$7.55 billion (about E140 billion) to support development projects across Africa over the next three to five years. The announcement came from Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during the TICAD 9 conference, which concluded on August 22, 2025, with African leaders, including His Majesty the King of Eswatini, in attendance.
Of the total, US$5.5 billion (around E102 billion) will fund a Japan-Africa Co-Creation industry programme, allowing African startups to work with Japanese companies to develop new industries. The programme, named Expansion of the Enhanced Private Sector for Assistance for Africa (EPSA), aims to boost economic collaboration between the regions.
Japan will also provide US$1.5 billion (about E28 billion) for impact investments via the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s overseas financing initiatives. In addition, the country plans to train 300,000 people in Artificial Intelligence and data science over three years under the African Economic Growth Initiative.
Health sector support will include up to US$550 million (approximately E10 billion) over five years to the GAVI Vaccine Alliance and investments through the African Healthcare Investment Promotion Package. Ishiba also noted Japan’s backing for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the creation of a Public-Private-Academia Joint Study Group to strengthen economic ties.
Other initiatives will focus on trade and investment promotion between Africa and the Indian Ocean region, the Africa Mine Action Platform, and programmes supporting Women, Peace, and Security.
African Union Chairperson, Angola’s President João Lourenço, thanked Japan for its ongoing partnership and urged mechanisms to support financing in health, education, food security, energy, infrastructure, trade, and digitalisation. He also welcomed Japan’s support for Africa’s call to reform the UN Security Council.
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