Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
Time: 17:30-19:00 (Japan time) / 11:30-13:00 (East Africa time)
Location: Annex Space, 1F, United Nations University Headquarters (online streaming available)
The theme of TICAD 9 (9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development), held in Yokohama in August 2025, was “Co-creating Innovative Solutions with Africa,” and the rise of AI attracted particular attention. In opening the conference, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba cited the use of AI, DX, GX, and satellite data, and stated that he would promote public-private partnerships and strengthen private sector-led investment. UN Secretary-General Guterres stressed that AI should be “Africa Included” and stressed the importance of investing in youth and women, promoting digital innovation, and reforming international governance and sustainable finance. He also stressed the importance of investing in youth and women, promoting digital innovation, and reforming international governance and sustainable finance. Furthermore, the Yokohama Declaration, which was adopted, clearly stated the need for a comprehensive and transformative environment for a human-centered, safe, and reliable AI.
In response to this trend, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced the “AI and Data Science Human Resource Development and Africa’s Economic Growth Initiative” at TICAD 9, and a partnership was concluded between the Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory of the University of Tokyo and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in this regard. This initiative aims to train 30,000 AI professionals in Africa over the next three years, promote research collaboration, and expand job opportunities for AI professionals. The Japanese government has also pledged to develop 500 AI core human resources through the promotion of the African version of the AI Core Research Center of Excellence (Center of Excellence) platform. In addition, JICA, the World Bank, and UNDP co-hosted the thematic event “AI Transformation for Africa – AI Human Resource Development and Ecosystem Enhancement” at TICAD 9, where a wide range of discussions were held on the possibilities, challenges, and business opportunities that AI can bring.
The importance of AI governance is also currently growing globally, and in Africa, through the G20’s “AI for Africa,” the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the African Union’s (AU) “Continental Africa AI Strategy (CAIS),” the movement to strengthen inclusive and sustainable AI At TICAD 9, the United Nations University (UNU), together with the Government of Egypt, hosted “Governance in the Digital Era: Lessons for Africa” to raise the importance of ethical, inclusive and context-specific governance of emerging technologies, including AI. The importance of promoting the governance of emerging technologies, including AI, within an ethical, inclusive, and contextual framework was also raised.
In addition, UNDP’s 2025 Human Development Report, entitled “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI),” identifies the development of AI as a matter of “choice” for humanity. According to the study, about 20% of the world’s population already uses AI in their daily lives, and about two-thirds of people in countries at different stages of development are expected to use AI within a year. Furthermore, 61% say AI “complements” rather than replaces work, and there is a growing recognition that AI should be used in ways that increase inclusiveness and equity.
In light of these international trends in AI, this event will invite experts from JICA and UNDP, entrepreneurs and students from Japan and Africa to discuss the potential of AI in African development from the perspective of “Africa leading the world” rather than “Africa as a beneficiary. At the same time, we will explore the possibility of further collaboration between Japan and Africa in the field of AI.
Outline of the event
Date: Friday, December 12, 2025, 17:30-19:00 (Japan time)
Co-organizers: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Format: Hybrid
Location: Annex Space, 1F, United Nations University Headquarters (United Nations University Headquarters, 5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925, Japan)
Online delivery: Zoom
Participation fee: Free of charge
Languages: Japanese, English, French
Registration: Click here for in-person registration
Click here to register online
Program
17:30-17:35 Opening remarks
17:35-17:40 Benediction
17:40-17:55 Scene Setting (about GCI Global at Matsuo Lab, Univ. of Tokyo)
17:55-18:55 Panel Discussion
18:55-19:00 Closing
Speakers (titles omitted)
Cilizi Marwala, Rector of United Nations University and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
Erizu Hirakawa, Global Team Leader, Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory, The University of Tokyo
Brian T. Chilima, Information Security & Assurance Student, Harare Institute of Technology
Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer, UNDP
Tomoyuki Yamada, Director, STI and DX Office, Governance and Peacebuilding Division, JICA
Kotone Nishigori President, Ready to Bloom Inc.
Rachel Kimweli Makumba KiAI Innovation & Emerging Markets Researcher, KiAI Inc.
moderator
Shuhei Ueno, Deputy Director, Africa Division, JICA (in charge of Planning and TICAD)
African converse
TICAD-related public seminar initiated by UNDP in 2018; co-hosted by UNDP and JICA as part of a collaborative project from 2020. The first seminar will be held at Hiroshima University in 2025, the second at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and the third at Yokohama in conjunction with TICAD 9. In 2025, the first event will be held at Hiroshima University, the second at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and the third at Yokohama in conjunction with TICAD 9.
Contact Us
Ryohei Tanaka, Planning and TICAD Promotion Division, Africa Department, JICA [email protected]
Chika Kondo, TICAD Collaboration Specialist, UNDP Africa Bureau [email protected]
© Source JICA