Teaching a man to fish is much harder but ultimately more rewarding than giving him one. When it comes to Japan’s impact in Africa, this philosophy is applied everywhere: the roads and bridges it builds, the businesses it helps create, and the children it educates. That’s why Japan was one of the first countries to make a long-term commitment to development in Africa.
In light of a “brain drain” of top talent and skills from many African countries—more than 15 million Africans have left the continent since 1980 according to the World Bank- one-off aid packages just aren’t enough. The guiding principles behind Japan’s approach are that Africa is more than a place to set up commerce and that Africans deserve more than short-term help. The country wants to be a real partner for growth by helping Africans develop long-term skills and sharing technical know-how.
By launching the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in 1993 with its partners, Japan chose to develop a partnership with Africa and engage directly with its leaders and citizens for shared accountability. TICAD exemplifies this commitment to continuous improvement, development, and assistance to Africa, now and going forward as the process evolves. TICAD is no symbolic meeting; it established a process that is built onto and crafted over time through cooperation, hard work and relationships made along the way.
In August 2016, Japan will hold the sixth TICAD meeting in Kenya to help spur investment, further development and training, and build an independent future for Africa. The location symbolizes Africa’s ownership over its own destiny now and in the future— previous conferences were all held in Japan.
Read more: Towards a Vibrant Africa
Source: FP
