The sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development was held in Nairobi, with the leaders of Japan and about 50 African nations attending, among others. They adopted the Nairobi Declaration, calling for economic structural reforms and reinforcing measures against communicable diseases as its main pillars.

In a keynote speech, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged a total of $30 billion in investments from the public and private sectors over a period of three years through 2018, and to develop human resources, including about 10 million engineers. “The time has come to make the best of Japan’s capabilities, Japanese companies’ capabilities,” Abe said.

Blessed with rich natural resources and given its rapid increase in population, Africa is referred to as “the final frontier” of the world economy, leading many countries to compete to make investments in the continent.

But, in recent years, Africa has faced challenges such as declining prices for natural resources, the spread of Ebola and other infectious diseases, frequent civil wars and terrorism. The continent is far from being in a situation under which it can eradicate poverty and achieve social stability.

It is reasonable that the Nairobi Declaration refers to “economic diversification” without relying merely on exports of resources. It is essential to promote investment in high-quality infrastructure and foster human resources through the prudent use of Japanese expertise, thereby encouraging self-sustained development.

Many Japanese business corporations and associations took part in the TICAD conference, which was held for the first time in Africa, and discussed concrete investment projects. The Japanese business community has high expectations for Africa as a potentially huge market.

Twenty-two Japanese firms and business associations signed memorandums on a total of 73 projects. It is highly significant that the range of cooperation is diverse, covering geothermal power generation, agricultural development, hospital construction and malaria control measures.

Abe announced a plan to launch the “Japan-Africa Public and Private economic Forum” as a permanent forum for which members of the Japanese Cabinet, together with top executives from Japan’s major business associations and corporations, will visit Africa once every three years. It is imperative for Japan and Africa to maintain close cooperation and pursue mutual benefits.

In December, China announced a plan to offer $60 billion in aid to Africa over a period of three years. This figure is double Japan’s. But there is strong criticism that China’s assistance will not lead to fostering personnel and technical transfers because China places priority on profits for its firms and procurement of resources.

In addition to construction of infrastructure with an emphasis on quality, it is essential for Japan to provide know-how on the maintenance and operation of infrastructure and offer elaborate programs to foster local experts, thereby differentiating its assistance from China’s.

Abe has come up with the India-Pacific initiative to make the Pacific and Indian oceans “peaceful seas governed by the rule of law.” Maintaining rules-based maritime order and the necessity of reforming the UN Security Council were also incorporated in the Nairobi Declaration.

Both of these points were made with China in mind. From the viewpoint of encouraging China to exercise restraint and avoid self-centered behavior, Japan must build a strategic relationship with African countries.

(The Japan News/Asia News Network)
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