The African civil society is gearing up to optimise engagement with the Japanese government and private enterprises during the upcoming ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), scheduled for 22 August 2025.
In a preparatory meeting this week, the rallying call from both the CSOs and the Japanese representation was that the people must be at the centre stage, with the rural communities benefiting from the partnership between the two entities.
“TICAD 9 must mark a generational shift from policy statements to people-powered transformation”, the president of the Civic Commission for Africa (CCFA), Maungo Mooki, who is also the founder of
the Botswana chapter, said.
She elaborated: “We call on the Government of Japan, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to co-create with us a vision for TICAD that moves beyond periodic summits to a living, evolving partnership — one that empowers local actors, fosters innovation, and advances shared global values of equity and dignity.
This is reflected in the CCFA’s TICAD 9 position paper, which emphasises ‘forging resilient partnerships that centre people, planet and prosperity.”
Mooki acknowledged Japan’s longstanding solidarity with Africa and urged them to “continue to prioritise people over profit and long-term development over short-term gains.
“We believe Japan’s unique diplomatic and moral voice can help ensure TICAD remains a true multilateral platform rather than a purely economic or geographical tool.”
Concurring, Japanese Director of Africa 1st Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shu’ichi Nichino, expressed the need to promote grassroots people-to-people solutions.
“We should invest more in people through innovation. We need a social contract between African governments and the people. TICAD is a multi-stakeholder process, CSOs can bring a difference, and we need more voices from the ground, not only through grants but through local volunteers and rural areas in small projects,” he said.
He stated that Japan has always prioritised local-level interventions and is therefore a willing partner.
Stating that TICAD has grown to be a powerful platform over 30 years, Nishino emphasised that it is a multi-stakeholder forum, which, among others, includes the private sector.
Civil society’s wish list in the partnership cuts across different thematic areas, amongst them youth, economy, gender, security, health, and society.
Under the theme, 'Forging resilient partnerships: centring people, planet and prosperity in Africa’s future,' the African civil society’s position paper seeks to mobilise smart finance and unlock civic innovation as well as advance shared prosperity.
“African societies require dimensional strategies that address environmental, economic, and social vulnerabilities while promoting inclusive and participatory governance,” reads the introduction of the
position paper, which lists several recommendations to the conference across stated themes.
Of particular mention, also shared by the Japanese counterparts, the paper cites harnessing innovation and digital technologies among the priorities.
The intention to seek assistance in bridging the digital divide by “expanding access to broadband connectivity in rural areas and enhancing digital literacy across the continent” appears to strike a nerve in African civil society’s aspirations.
This includes supporting innovation in e-governance, climate-smart agriculture and health tech to develop social development and resilience.
Nishino reiterated the importance of the creative industry, which he said could be a launch pad for development, especially to address unemployment and culture preservation.
The security issue is also among the prioritised areas, and includes: cross-border collaborations, climate change impact, unemployment, political stability, corruption and accountability.
The TICAD 9 is expected to reflect on these matters to influence change in the international community.
“The advocacy for peace and security governance is brought forward by both Japanese and African civil society at TICAD 9, with the expectation of significant decisions on the issues raised.
This advocacy is expressed on behalf of civil society that is committed to good governance and effective poverty reduction initiatives in Africa,” Paul Koalaga of the Burkina Faso-based African Centre to Fight Against Radicalisation and Extremism, said.
The civil society further recognises the relevance and role played by the development partners - World Bank, IMF, African Development Bank and other financial institutions, especially towards “societal objectives espoused by TICAD.
The CCfA will dispatch a strong delegation from its affiliate CSOs to Yokohama to advocate their position and build strategic alliances—not only with counterparts in Japan, but with global partners as well.
In a preparatory meeting this week, the rallying call from both the CSOs and the Japanese representation was that the people must be at the centre stage, with the rural communities benefiting from the partnership between the two entities.
“TICAD 9 must mark a generational shift from policy statements to people-powered transformation”, the president of the Civic Commission for Africa (CCFA), Maungo Mooki, who is also the founder of
the Botswana chapter, said.
She elaborated: “We call on the Government of Japan, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to co-create with us a vision for TICAD that moves beyond periodic summits to a living, evolving partnership — one that empowers local actors, fosters innovation, and advances shared global values of equity and dignity.
This is reflected in the CCFA’s TICAD 9 position paper, which emphasises ‘forging resilient partnerships that centre people, planet and prosperity.”
Mooki acknowledged Japan’s longstanding solidarity with Africa and urged them to “continue to prioritise people over profit and long-term development over short-term gains.
“We believe Japan’s unique diplomatic and moral voice can help ensure TICAD remains a true multilateral platform rather than a purely economic or geographical tool.”
Concurring, Japanese Director of Africa 1st Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shu’ichi Nichino, expressed the need to promote grassroots people-to-people solutions.
“We should invest more in people through innovation. We need a social contract between African governments and the people. TICAD is a multi-stakeholder process, CSOs can bring a difference, and we need more voices from the ground, not only through grants but through local volunteers and rural areas in small projects,” he said.
He stated that Japan has always prioritised local-level interventions and is therefore a willing partner.
Stating that TICAD has grown to be a powerful platform over 30 years, Nishino emphasised that it is a multi-stakeholder forum, which, among others, includes the private sector.
Civil society’s wish list in the partnership cuts across different thematic areas, amongst them youth, economy, gender, security, health, and society.
Under the theme, 'Forging resilient partnerships: centring people, planet and prosperity in Africa’s future,' the African civil society’s position paper seeks to mobilise smart finance and unlock civic innovation as well as advance shared prosperity.
“African societies require dimensional strategies that address environmental, economic, and social vulnerabilities while promoting inclusive and participatory governance,” reads the introduction of the
position paper, which lists several recommendations to the conference across stated themes.
Of particular mention, also shared by the Japanese counterparts, the paper cites harnessing innovation and digital technologies among the priorities.
The intention to seek assistance in bridging the digital divide by “expanding access to broadband connectivity in rural areas and enhancing digital literacy across the continent” appears to strike a nerve in African civil society’s aspirations.
This includes supporting innovation in e-governance, climate-smart agriculture and health tech to develop social development and resilience.
Nishino reiterated the importance of the creative industry, which he said could be a launch pad for development, especially to address unemployment and culture preservation.
The security issue is also among the prioritised areas, and includes: cross-border collaborations, climate change impact, unemployment, political stability, corruption and accountability.
The TICAD 9 is expected to reflect on these matters to influence change in the international community.
“The advocacy for peace and security governance is brought forward by both Japanese and African civil society at TICAD 9, with the expectation of significant decisions on the issues raised.
This advocacy is expressed on behalf of civil society that is committed to good governance and effective poverty reduction initiatives in Africa,” Paul Koalaga of the Burkina Faso-based African Centre to Fight Against Radicalisation and Extremism, said.
The civil society further recognises the relevance and role played by the development partners - World Bank, IMF, African Development Bank and other financial institutions, especially towards “societal objectives espoused by TICAD.
The CCfA will dispatch a strong delegation from its affiliate CSOs to Yokohama to advocate their position and build strategic alliances—not only with counterparts in Japan, but with global partners as well.
