Japan has announced tens of billions of dollars in aid and infrastructure for Africa as the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) got underway in the Japanese City of Yokohama Saturday.
"Over the next five years, Japan will support African growth through public and private means of 3.2 trillion yen (approximately $32 billion), including Official Development Assistance of around 1.4 trillion yen ($14 billion) and other public and private resources of around $16 billion dollars," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.
"Also, we will underwrite a maximum of $2 billion of trade insurance," he said.
About 40 African Heads of State and government attended the official opening of the summit that is held every five years. The conference is being held under the theme "Hand in Hand with a more dynamic Africa."
"Through the preparatory process for this conference, we asked the countries of Africa what areas should receive the greatest emphasis at present. The responses were the same as always--further development of infrastructure, business-savvy human capacities, health, and agriculture," said the premier.
Africa's own needs
Mr Shinzo added: "Japan will provide 650 billion yen (approximately $6.5 billion), over the next five years. This will be allocated to developing the infrastructure that Africa itself deems necessary and plans itself. We will rocket forward in further developing first of all 'international corridors' that link inland areas with the coasts, and also power grids."
He said Japan would in addition work to find jobs for 30,000 people in Africa.
AU Commission chair Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon, World Bank President Dr Jim Yong Kim and UNDP administrator Helen Clark are also in attendance.
Dr Dlamini-Zuma praised Japan’s commitment to Africa.
"With regard to TICAD,it is worth recalling that this important partnership forum was established in 1993.Japan recognised that in this fast growing globalised world which Africa is part, there would not be any world peace and development if problems facing Africa are not taken care of at global level and in coherent and strategic manner," she said.
"TICAD’s achievements in various African countries speak highly of the success of the TICAD. A look at the fourth Annual Progress Report gives an overall idea of the scope of Japan’s commitments to the continent."
The conference will run for three days. TICAD, a get-together of political leaders from across Africa, is Japan's two decade old effort to boost links.
Courtesy: AFRICA REVIEW
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