African leaders at TICAD 9 in Yokohama

A TICAD 9 Banner (image source)

From August 20–22, 2025, African leaders head to TICAD 9—the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, co-hosted by Japan, UN, UNDP, World Bank, and African Union Commission. Themed “People, Planet, and Prosperity in a Changing World,” the conference has evolved since its inception in 1993, pivoting from security to innovation and economic transformation.

Japan’s model is one of ODA with developmental vision—not charity. Facing domestic austerity and rising populism, Japan focuses on concessional finance, such as converting Southeast Asian loan repayments into low-interest funds for African nations. Since 1993, it has committed approximately ¥1.2 trillion (~$8.5 billion) to African infrastructure—dwarfed by China’s $182 billion—but emphasizing sustainability and local capacity.

Africa is a target for annual summits—from G7/G20 fora to Western development conventions and Chinese Belt and Road showcases. Each offers access to capital, but also competition for attention and alignment. Japan positions TICAD as an African-owned dialogue with transparent agendas. Analysts say the benefit of Africa to the conference include visibility, new partnerships, concessional funding, and peer-learning. However, there are also risks such as duplicate rhetoric, bureaucratic fatigue, and donor chatter without delivery. The value lies in follow-through on agreements and institutional accountability.

Prior to TICAD, Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs Minister Amon Murwira met Japan’s ambassador to align on Expo 2025 and TICAD 9 agendas, signaling political intent. The country will send a delegation—likely led by the Foreign Affairs Minister and economic officials—to engage on business, trade, and investment platforms at the Business Expo & Conference organized by JETRO.

Zimbabwe aims to attract TICAD negotiations toward infrastructure, health, agriculture, and finance. Government seeks to showcase investment climate and secure sustainable loan frameworks aligned with national development vision.

TICAD 9 is not just another “Africa outside” event—it’s Japan’s strategic pivot to showcase development diplomacy grounded in empathy, not dominance. For Zimbabwe and other African nations, the return on attending depends on converting dialogue into investment, co-innovation, and equitable partnerships.