events

Positive Momentum at Tokyo International Conference on African Development Sparks Hope

Published

1 year ago

August 20, 2025

Tokyo International Conference on African Development highlights Japan’s fresh role as a trusted partner to Africa amid mounting debt and aid cuts

The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) kicked off a vital three-day summit on Wednesday, bringing together African leaders and global figures to explore fresh avenues of partnership and development.

Also read: Heirs Energies CEO to Share African Energy Blueprint at Namibia Oil Conference 2025

Attracting heavyweight attendees including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Kenyan President William Ruto, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the conference underscores Africa’s urgent need for sustainable support amid a worsening debt crisis.

“The debt and liquidity crisis on the African continent is worsening the challenging socio-economic environment and constraining the fiscal space for governments to cast a safety net over its citizens,” Ramaphosa’s office noted.

While China has been Africa’s dominant investor, financing massive infrastructure projects under its Belt and Road initiative, new lending from Beijing has sharply declined.

Meanwhile, Western aid has diminished, particularly following the US’s cutbacks on development funding.

Against this backdrop, Japan is positioning itself as a trustworthy alternative partner for Africa.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized Japan’s commitment to aligning development efforts with Africa’s needs, stating, “We want to carefully identify the needs of our partners and earn their trust.”

Japan is set to propose the creation of an “economic zone” linking Africa and the Indian Ocean region, aiming to foster closer economic ties and shared prosperity.

Further, Japan pledged to nurture 30,000 artificial intelligence experts over the next three years, promoting industrial digitalisation and job creation—an ambitious move to empower Africa’s youthful population.

However, Japan’s major business lobby, Keidanren, warned that winning trust from developing countries will be critical to success.

Also read: Decentralized Nigeria 2025 Conference Showcases Africa’s Web3 Potential

As the Tokyo International Conference on African Development progresses, it offers a powerful platform for redefining Africa’s partnerships, balancing economic opportunities with sustainable, respectful collaboration.

Up Next

Nigeria Electronic Media Content Exhibitions and Awards Set for Exciting AI Training in 2025

Don't Miss

Zenith Bank Celebrates 35th Anniversary with Honours

Peculiar Adirika

Click to comment

Opinion

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

4 days ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Fiorentina Target Zirkzee in €5m Loan Deal

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Fiorentina Target Zirkzee in €5m Loan Deal

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”