UNDP Africa Director Visits Japan to Strengthen Africa-Japan Strategic Partnership

Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will make an official visit to Japan from May 12 to 17, 2026.

Currently, global uncertainty is increasing due to rising geopolitical risks, including the situation in the Middle East. Its impact is spreading across regions, affecting economies in countries and regions including Africa and Japan, in the form of rising food and energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and strengthening fiscal constraints. This situation once again highlights the high interdependence of the global economy and the importance of coordinated responses.

In this context, the importance of international cooperation and strategic partnerships is higher than ever. Japan is in a position to demonstrate leadership in the international community by building new relationships with Africa that go beyond traditional development aid, emphasizing co-creation, innovation, and mutual economic value creation.

Building on the TICAD process, cooperation between Africa and Japan is deepening further, centered on the following areas:

* Building resilient supply chains and diversifying economies
* Expanding investment opportunities and promoting private sector participation
* Promoting digitalization and innovation ecosystems
* Developing next-generation leaders through youth participation and human resource exchange

UNDP supports the concretization of this vision by connecting governments, private companies, academic institutions, and young innovators. As a "bridge-builder" connecting partnerships to actual projects and results, UNDP is working to create scalable solutions. This visit aims to further strengthen the cooperation between Africa and Japan as a crucial pillar of Japan's global strategy, and to accelerate momentum towards promoting multilateral cooperation and realizing sustainable growth.

During her stay, Director Eziakonwa will engage in wide-ranging discussions with government officials, parliamentarians, development partners, private companies, university stakeholders, and youth leaders, conveying the significance of multilateral cooperation and the importance of strategic investment in Africa.

**Main Schedule**

* **AFRICONVERSE Okinawa** Friday, May 15, 2026 | JICA Okinawa International Center Multipurpose Hall

UNDP and JICA will co-host "AFRICONVERSE," a TICAD-related event, in Okinawa. It will explore practical cooperation possibilities for innovation in the health sector, strengthening medical systems, and improving access to high-quality medical services.

* **Ryukyu University Special Lecture** Friday, May 15, 2026 | Okinawa

A special lecture will be held on the relationship between peace, development, and innovation. While considering the historical significance of Okinawa's reversion to Japan, it will connect local experiences to global challenges and discuss the role and potential of youth in co-creation between Africa and Japan.

* **Mock African Union (MAU) Japan Edition** Sunday, May 17, 2026, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Sophia University Building 2 (Tokyo)

Co-hosted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Sophia University, this event will be held under the theme of "Ubuntu: Young People Creating the Future Together in the Spirit of Coexistence." Japanese and African students will practice negotiation, policy discussion, and consensus building in the format of the African Union, serving as a platform to elevate youth participation from "dialogue" to "action." As a key youth platform for TICAD, it aims to develop human resources who will lead future Africa-Japan relations.