Japan and African leaders have struck a new deal to ensure a steady and responsible supply of critical minerals, wrapping up talks at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama.
Both sides stressed that Africa must move beyond exporting raw materials. Instead, the focus will be on local processing and value addition, allowing the continent to gain more from its lithium, tantalum, uranium, and other resources. Observers say this approach could help African economies keep more of the wealth generated from their vast deposits.
These minerals are vital for electric cars, renewable energy storage, and modern defence systems. With competition heating up globally, Japan’s partnership with Africa is seen as a strategic move to secure supply chains and strengthen economic security. Experts believe Africa’s reserves could play a major role in reshaping the future of energy and technology worldwide.
The three-day summit, which ran from August 20 to 22, drew leaders from nearly 50 African countries, as well as officials from the UN, World Bank, and African Union. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, speaking alongside Angola’s President João Lourenço, said Japan was committed to boosting investments, building industries, and supporting skills development across Africa.
A key outcome of the summit was the Yokohama Declaration—a roadmap for industrial cooperation, capacity building, and governance reforms, designed to foster a more balanced and resilient Japan–Africa relationship.
Since its launch in 1993, TICAD has become a cornerstone of Japan’s Africa policy. The next conference will be hosted in Africa itself, putting the continent at the centre of shaping the future of this growing partnership.
