26/08/2025
๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ โ ๐๐จ๐ค๐จ๐ก๐๐ฆ๐, ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง
This past week was a particularly engaging one with numerous activities unfolding at the TICAD9 Conference. Over the 3 days, I had the opportunity to attend several significant events, each reaffirming the strong commitment of Japan and Africa to deepen cooperation and jointly navigate new frontiers of development.
๐๐ข๐ ๐ก-๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ
Presidents, Heads of Government, and institutions presented their visions and priorities, each seeking to attract and partnerships. My own President, H.E. Dr. , made a compelling case for Kenyaโs readiness to collaborate with Japan, highlighting opportunities where Japanese capital, technology, and expertise can be mutually beneficial.
๐๐ฑ๐ก๐ข๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฒ๐ง๐๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ฌ
As anticipated, there was a clear imbalance in representation between Japanese and African exhibitors. Japanese booths and side events were predominantly driven by the private sector, while the African Lounge was largely a public agencies and parastatals affair. This difference reflects the varied economic dynamics and drivers on both sides, offering important lessons for how Africa can further empower and mobilize its private sector actors in future TICAD engagements.
๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐
One of the most encouraging aspects of TICAD 9 was the vibrancy of the African diaspora in Japan. -led exhibitions and thematic events were active throughout the conference, demonstrating strong enthusiasm and commitment to forging connections between Japan and Africa. The diasporaโs unique positioning โ with cultural proximity and an understanding of contexts of both nations โ offers immense potential to serve as a bridge, creating sustainable linkages that can extend well beyond the framework.
๐๐๐ง๐ฒ๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
The Kenyan community in Japan has already taken a leadership role in advancing labor mobility between the two countries. Through the Kenyans in Japan Association (KIJA), we are contributing solutions to Japanโs human resource challenges while ensuring that incoming workers are supported in integration and long-term success.
At our Thematic Event, the discussions centered on what it will take to build labor mobility. A key takeaway was the urgent need for a formal between Kenya and Japan to provide a structured framework for this growing collaboration.
๐๐ก๐ ๐
๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐
Africa and Japan now stand at a crossroads: either to wait โ staring at one another or engage to seize the opportunities presented by frameworks such as TICAD to jointly lead in shaping the new economic frontier. With strong political will, private sector involvement, and diaspora , has shown that the foundation for a deeper, mutually beneficial partnership is firmly in place.
Geoffrey Owuor - President, KIJA.
