NEPAD Agency Chief Executive Officer Dr Ibrahim Mayaki has called on Africa to learn from the Japanese model of growth in order to eradicate poverty in Africa. Dr Mayaki was speaking at a seminar on twenty years of Partnership between Japan and Africa held at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.  

The seminar was aimed at creating a platform to reflect on ways to better enhance the partnerships between Japan and Africa. The upcoming Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) that will take place in Yokohama from 1-3 June 2013 was also discussed in terms how Africa should make its’ voice and priorities heard at this Summit. The theme is centered around improving the quality of growth so that benefits can be more widely, equitably and sustainably shared among all people.

“It is important to continue seeing Japan as a critical supporter of African Development” said Mayaki. The NEPAD Agency CEO discussed challenges related to development, such as lack of strong regional integration, poverty and leadership issues facing the Continent. He laid emphasis on the role that the Youth have in supporting the NEPAD Agenda.

Representatives from the South African Government, Embassies, Private Sector, CSOs, Academia and the Media attended the panel discussion to engage in this debate on African Partnerships with Japan.

In highlighting Japan’s commitment to Africa’s development, Dr Akihiko Tanaka, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said, “We are determined to support Africa’s effort to achieve the MDGs. I am deeply assured that in the coming decades, Africa will be much more important both for the world and Japan”. Dr Akihiko said that JICA would continue to contribute to accelerating the growth of Africa and tackling new challenges of the changing Africa and Japan.

TICAD celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. It was established to promote regular high level dialogue between Africa and Japan. Since its inception TICAD has been a major feature of Japan’s partnership with Africa, drawing from its own development experience and the role it played in the so called ‘East Asian Miracle’.

The role of the Private Sector in promoting Development was highlighted by Mr David Monyae, Senior Policy Analyst for the Development Bank of South Africa. “We will use the upcoming TICA to interest the Japanese Private Sector in African Development” responded the President of JICA.