African Union (AU) Member States and Japan have adopted the Yokohama Declaration at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), committing to a renewed partnership anchored on innovation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.

The Declaration, themed “Co-create innovative solutions with Africa,” emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen Africa’s capacity in technology, infrastructure, healthcare, and climate resilience while promoting digital transformation and industrial growth. Both sides acknowledged that Africa stands at a pivotal moment, where unlocking innovation could shift the continent from being primarily a source of raw materials to a driver of global solutions.

Key commitments include mobilizing private capital for quality infrastructure, advancing the digital economy and education, fostering sustainable agriculture, and ensuring access to affordable healthcare. The Declaration also underlined the importance of empowering women and youth, accelerating industrialization, and addressing the climate crisis through renewable energy investment and green technology.

Speaking at the forum, leaders stressed that Africa-Japan cooperation must go beyond aid, focusing instead on building resilient, innovation-driven economies. The call was clear: Africa must not be left behind in the global technological revolution, but instead be positioned as a key co-creator of solutions that benefit both the continent and the world.

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As the conference concluded, the Declaration reaffirmed Africa’s readiness to take ownership of its development agenda, with Japan and other global partners pledging long-term collaboration in pursuit of a more prosperous and resilient future.