Japan seeks to advance 'High-Quality Infrastructure' in Africa at Yokohama Conference

The initiative aims to promote "high-quality infrastructure investment" in Africa while facilitating the overseas expansion of Japanese infrastructure-related companies.

Opening session of the 4th Japan–Africa Quality Infrastructure Conference in Yokohama, August 21, 2025.

The program featured panel discussions on human resources, infrastructure technology, and public-private partnerships (PPPs), alongside seminars on housing, water-related disaster management, and aviation. Companies and institutions including Fujita Corporation and Shimizu Corporation presented their initiatives.

The meeting was held as a side event of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), which continues through August 22. Participants included representatives from MLIT, the Japan-Africa Infrastructure Development Association (JAIDA), African governments, international organizations, and private enterprises.

In his opening remarks, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Hirofumi Nakano emphasized: "We are strengthening investment in high-quality infrastructure. Infrastructure forms the foundation of economic and social development, while also requiring responses to climate change. Development is therefore of vital importance".

He added that it was essential to respond to the "challenges and needs of each African country", stressing Japan’s intent to combine its "experience, talent, technology, and expertise" to expand bilateral cooperation and "open the way toward innovative infrastructure futures".

Chairman of JAIDA Yoichi Miyamoto reviewed JAIDA’s initiatives since its establishment in 2016 and highlighted Japan’s contributions to Africa’s development. He remarked: "We hope to facilitate the cross-border movement of people and goods, thereby promoting regional development as well as the broader growth and expansion of Africa".

He underlined the necessity of efforts beyond official development assistance (ODA), such as advancing PPPs, securing skilled personnel to oversee infrastructure projects, and developing career paths for local engineers and technicians.

At a panel discussion, featured representatives from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the World Bank, participants agreed on the necessity of carefully calculated risk management and gender-responsive approaches in PPPs and digital infrastructure.

Speaking to the Daily Engineering & Construction News, following the discussions, Chairman Miyamoto expressed his gratitude to all participants and remarked: "Africa’s construction market is expanding. Increasingly, countries are graduating from reliance on ODA and are seeking investment. A key challenge going forward will be securing financial guarantees to accompany infrastructure development".

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