Japan’s Kishida promises US$30 billion in aid over next 3 years for Africa to counter China, Russia

Name: China invests billions in Africa
Uploaded: 2022-08-27T10:50:46.000Z
Duration: 2 min 28 s
Description: China invests billions in Africa

Attending the African development conference virtually after he tested positive for Covid-19, Kishida stressed the difference of Tokyo’s approach from China

Japan will develop African talent and focus on green growth through decarbonisation, helping Africa boost food production capacity and train people in agriculture

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The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport toll station on the Nairobi Expressway undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation. Japan has been differentiating Tokyo’s approach from that of China. Photo: Reuters

Kyodo

Published: 6:50pm, 27 Aug 2022

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday pledged US$30 billion over the next three years for African development, with a focus on investing in human capital and fostering quality growth in a continent where China and Russia are exerting their influence.

In his online speech to the latest round of international conference on African development known as TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development) in Tunisia, Kishida stressed that Japan will grow together with Africa, differentiating Tokyo’s approach from that of China, which critics say has been burdening poor nations with huge debts related to infrastructure projects.

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China invests billions in Africa

Specifically, Japan will extend loans worth around US$5 billion in coordination with the African Development Bank to promote sustainable African development by restoring fiscal health, the prime minister said, as the two-day conference got under way in the Tunisian capital.

The gathering, the eighth of its kind attended by Japanese and African leaders, will cover a range of pressing issues confronting the continent, often called the last frontier for growth.

The agenda items include how to cope with the unfolding food crisis worsened by disrupted grain shipments and soaring food prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, energy security and improving healthcare services as the Covid-19 pandemic continues.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (R) held an online meeting with Tunisian President Kais Saied at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo on 26 August, ahead of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development on 27-28 August. Photo: AFP

Kishida said the rules-based, free and open international order should be maintained for global peace and prosperity, as he aims to deepen cooperation between Japan and Africa.

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