(Ecofin Agency) - Japan will host from August 28 to 30, the seventh edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). The 3-day workshop will be held in the city of Yokohama and will gather African Heads of State around a common goal: explore partnership opportunities with Japan to boost development on the continent.

Japan, like the United States and Russia, wants to improve its relation with Africa since China is getting more footprint in the region. Since the TICAD initiative started in 1993, Japan has granted more than $47 billion to support African countries’ development, while China has committed $60 billion. Over the past ten years, Japanese exports towards Africa halved to about $7 billion and the country’s Foreign Direct Investments on the continent represent only 20% of Chinese FDI.

This edition’s theme is “Advancing African development through people, technology and innovation,” translating Japan’s ambition for the continent. According to Shinichi Kitaoka, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), his organization provides dynamic support both in terms of financial aid (loans and grants) and technical assistance. He said this approach best reflects the Japanese aid philosophy of supporting self-reliance.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou