Event Background

In May 2008, the Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD 1V) in Yokohama, Japan saw heads of government from 41 African countries took part in the forum on Japan – Africa partnership which signalled Vibrant relationship between Japan and Africa.

In his report published in May 2008 on “Where next for TICAD: Building lasting partnerships, Dr. Fletcher Tembo, Research Fellow, Overseas Development Institute, (ODI) said {Japan is a major donor to Africa. Within Africa, Japan’s aid goes to most of Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2006, Japan contributed more than $2.6 billion to Africa, according to the OECD (2008). A large proportion of Japanese aid to Africa goes to infrastructure (e.g. road networks electricity, telephone communications), water supply, health, food production, emergency relief, grassroots human security projects, education, support to Japanese NGOs and debt relief. Some assistance take the form of technical cooperation or development studies}.

Japan’s thirst for raw materials in Africa in particular oil and gas, precious metals is increasing. It is yet to be analysed what real outcome African countries would gain and to measure the rate at which these aid commitments would better enhance and boost tangible results of investment effect in Africa.