Japan pledges $10B for African infrastructure

Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Victor Bockarie Foh on Friday 26th August, arrived in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, representing His Excellency, President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), presently taking place at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

Abe then announced that Japan plans to implement public and private investment in Africa totaling $30 billion over three years.

Japan’s pledge to invest in Africa comes just months after China promised double the amount of African investments that Japan has pledged.

China on Monday criticised Japan for creating discord in resource-rich Africa where the two countries are competing for influence. President Kenyatta also briefed President Mugabe on the threat caused by terrorists in Kenya and the East African region and the measures being taken to end the threat.

Seijiro Takeshita, an economist and professor at the University of Shizuoka, said the political reasoning behind Japan’s decision was to secure itself on global and regional fronts.

Linda Etim, the head of African Affairs for the US Agency for International Development commented: “Japan is already a strong partner in Africa as evidenced by the TICAD Summit and I am certain this partnership will advance our common commitment to electrifying the continent”.

“We resolve to promote social stability by responding comprehensively to security concerns”. It was the first time the conference has been held in Africa since its inception in 1993.

During the meeting, Japan repeatedly mentioned the reform of the United Nations Security Council, as well as marine safety in the Indian and Pacific Ocean.

On terrorism, the declaration said, “We strongly condemn terrorism in all forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever committed.We call for enhanced worldwide cooperation in strengthening counterterrorism capacity in Africa”.

Japan will also provide a concessional loan to the Olkaria geothermal project, operated by state-run Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), the two leaders added.