Nairobi warms up to another major trade fora

 

The Royal African Society (RAS) in association with the government of Japan has held talks to brainstorm on the key agendas to be discussed in Nairobi next month. The event, titled ‘Japan & Africa: A new kind of relationship?’ took place in London with a focus on the steps being taken by African continent to move from aid to becoming self-reliant.

The gathering served as part of the buildup to the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), which will be held in Kenya from August 27 to 28.

This will be the first ever TICAD summit to be held in Africa. Speaking ahead of the event, Prof Akihiko Tanaka from University of Tokyo said he remains confident that African countries will become invaluable to Japan in the coming decades, as growing business partners with huge market potential.

“Throughout the period since Japan started the TICAD process in 1993, Japan has consistently worked closely with the governments and people of Africa,” said Prof Tanaka.