TICAD 9 Summit convened from August 20–22 in Yokohama, Japan. Ethiopia’s delegation, led by Minister of Industry Melaku Alebel and including State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera, attended the Summit and engaged in extensive bilateral discussions with Japanese and international partners to strengthen relationships and explore new opportunities. The meeting was co-chaired by the President of Angola, current Chairperson of the African Union, and the Prime Minister of Japan. More than 33 Heads of State and Government and other delegations attended the Summit.
The Summit marked a pivotal moment in the enduring partnership between Japan and Africa. Building on the outcomes of TICAD 8, TICAD 9 convened under the theme of “Co-create innovative solutions with Africa.” The Summit discussed three thematic issues: Society, Peace and Stability, and Economy, while emphasizing cross-cutting issues such as connectivity, gender and youth inclusion, public-private partnerships, and global governance reform. TICAD 9 highlighted the importance of cooperation, technology-driven, and home-grown solutions to accelerate Africa’s transformation into a more prosperous, integrated, and peaceful continent. The Summit aimed to accelerate the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as Agenda 2030 and to collaborate on achieving Africa’s aspirations in line with the African Union’s long-term development vision, including Agenda 2063 and its Second 10-Year Implementation Plan.
The Plenary Session on Peace and Stability examined how to support Africa’s efforts in preventing and resolving conflicts, grounded in the promotion of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. It addressed issues related to global governance, UN Security Council reform, good governance, the roles of women and youth, and Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) and Peace Support Operations (PSO) in Africa.
The Plenary Session on Economy examined strategies to strengthen industrialization and economic diversification through collaboration with the private sector and to build a sustainable, inclusive, private sector-driven industrial ecosystem that boosts domestic resource mobilization. Focus was placed on supporting a free, open, and fair trade and investment environment and improving connectivity within and beyond the continent. The session also addressed the transformative potential of digital innovation, the importance of debt management, and the promotion of sustainable natural resource use.
The Plenary Session on Society explored strategies to strengthen health systems and promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC), addressing the importance of improving access to clean water, sanitation, and waste management. The session further highlighted the need to expand access to quality education at all levels, as well as the necessity of environmental protection from the perspective of maintaining biodiversity and resilience. It also examined how inclusive, people-centered strategies and cultural exchange and creative collaboration reinforce one another.
On the sidelines of the Summit, the Ethiopian delegation attended discussions across all three pillars and encouraged major Japanese companies to invest in Ethiopia through one-to-one meetings and by organizing a joint investment seminar.
Since its inception in 1993, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) has served as a dynamic platform for cooperation led by African nations, in alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 Agenda. It has consistently brought together African leaders, Japan, and international partners to advance peace, security, sustainable development, and inclusive growth, while fostering stronger and more enduring partnerships for the future.
Ethiopia’s delegation held extensive meetings with senior Japanese officials, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the State Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Executive Vice President of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the Mayor of Yokohama City. These discussions underscored Ethiopia’s commitment to building a future-oriented partnership with Japan.
During the exchanges, the delegation emphasized that the Government of Ethiopia is implementing strong macroeconomic reform programs, presenting wide-ranging opportunities for collaboration. The delegation reaffirmed Ethiopia’s steadfast commitment to working closely with Japan in building a shared and prosperous future, while also encouraging Japanese private companies to invest in Ethiopia across diverse sectors, further strengthening the partnership between the two nations.
The Japanese side expressed admiration for Ethiopia’s development journey and pledged to continue supporting the country’s socio-economic transformation through development assistance and investment. They also highlighted Ethiopia’s strategic role in the region and its significant potential for trade and investment, underlining the importance of further strengthening bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation across a broad spectrum, including development assistance, technical support, capacity building, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. These commitments lay a solid foundation for an even brighter future together and demonstrate the growing strength of Ethiopia–Japan relations. The interactions not only elevated the partnership but also reinforced the shared vision of development, peace, and security.
In meetings with Japanese private businesses, the Ethiopian delegation stressed that Ethiopia is at a pivotal stage in its economic journey. The government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for business and investment remains unwavering. The delegation called on Japanese companies to seize this moment and position themselves as key partners in Ethiopia’s development path, further solidifying the partnership between Ethiopia and Japan. Company representatives acknowledged Ethiopia’s vast growth potential and agreed that the time is ripe to take advantage of the expanding trade and investment opportunities. These engagements, combined with the Ethiopia–Japan Business and Investment Forum held on the sidelines of TICAD 9 in Yokohama, are expected to further enhance the already strong economic relationship between the two nations.
As part of TICAD 9’s conclusion, Ethiopia’s delegation also took part in the inauguration of a road named in honor of Ethiopian legend athlete Abebe Bikila in Kasama City, Japan. This symbolic act pays tribute to Bikila’s triumph at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, which brought pride to Ethiopia and created a lasting bond with the people of Japan. The gesture reflects the depth of friendship between the two nations and strengthens their shared future.
Additionally, the delegation visited the site of the 2025 Osaka Expo and explored the Ethiopian pavilion, which showcased the nation’s agricultural and industrial products alongside its rich cultural heritage. Ambassador Hadera used the occasion to engage with visitors, highlighting Ethiopia’s cultural and historical connections with Japan while presenting opportunities for future collaboration in both economic and cultural spheres. He encouraged visitors to explore Ethiopia’s exhibit to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s history, cultural diversity, and development aspirations, reinforcing the growing partnership between Ethiopia and Japan.