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

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

Africa

Kyodo

Published: 6:50pm, 27 Aug 2022

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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.

02:28

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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.

Japan has been aligned with other Group of Seven economies in slapping a raft of sanctions against Russia, but the continent has been divided over Russia’s war in Ukraine, with some nations taking a neutral stance and opposed to punishing Moscow.

Russia, for its part, has been also courting African nations and has blamed the Western sanctions for the worsening food crisis.

To support Africa, Japan will invest around US$4 billion in achieving green growth through decarbonisation and help Africa boost food production capacity and train people in agriculture as part of efforts to address the food crisis exacerbated by Russia’s war on Ukraine, Kishida said.

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As the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for better preparedness, the prime minister also said Japan will step up efforts for Africa to fight infectious diseases such as Aids, malaria and tuberculosis and to bolster healthcare systems.

Japan has shifted the focus of its engagement with Africa over the years, from giving aid to increasing investment with the participation of the private sector, as the continent is seen as having growth potential with its increasing population.

Kishida used his speech to underscore the importance of investing in people, a key part of his push to create a new form of capitalism. The premier reiterated that growth and wealth distribution should come hand in hand.

Over the next three years, Japan will nurture the talents in Africa of 300,000 people in such fields as agriculture, healthcare, education and law.

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Kishida expressed his willingness to strengthen cooperation with African nations in reforming the UN Security Council, which is increasingly seen as dysfunctional following its permanent member Russia’s aggression, and realising a “free and open” Indo-Pacific.

Kishida had planned to visit Tunisia for the latest round of talks that have been led by Japan since their inception in 1993 but gave up on the idea after he tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi is attending the conference in person.

The previous round of TICAD was held in 2019 in Yokohama near Tokyo.