Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on global partners to embrace market-driven cooperation with Africa rather than traditional aid, as Japan announced a new $5.5 billion financing framework to support sustainable growth across the continent.
Speaking at the plenary on Peace and Stability during the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development, TICAD9, President Tinubu said Africa’s development must be anchored on inclusivity, stability, and reforms that attract private sector investments.
“Nigeria’s brave armed forces can win any number of battles, but we do justice to their heroism only when we, as government, are courageous in tackling not just terror, but also the underlying causes,” the President said.
He stressed that sustainable development would only thrive under conditions of peace and stability, noting that Nigeria was pursuing infrastructure upgrades, institutional reforms, and economic policies designed to improve living standards.
“We should be under no illusions about the scale of our task. But neither should we underestimate the successes we have had,” Tinubu told the high-level gathering.
“In the past, competition for resources has weakened states and triggered conflict. Now, we see mediators directly linking outcomes to investment in Congo. It is working and underlines the need for fresh thinking in everything we do to deliver peace and stability.”
The Nigerian leader also used the platform to renew his call for reforms at the United Nations, insisting that Africa deserves permanent representation on the Security Council.
“It is the view of Nigeria that Africa’s quest for fair and equitable representation in the UN Security Council is a just and fair demand. Indeed, Africa deserves two seats in the Permanent Category, with all its prerogatives and privileges, including the Right of Veto,” Tinubu said.
President Tinubu concluded by appealing for stronger market-oriented partnerships, arguing that aid-based models no longer serve Africa’s realities.
“We can do justice to the heroism and sacrifice of our armed forces only when we display the courage to be tough, not only on terror, but also on the causes of terror,” he said.
On the economic front, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba unveiled a collaborative financing framework between Japan and the African Development Bank, AfDB, with a maximum disbursement of $5.5 billion through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, private sector investment finance window.
“Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa. So, in creating solutions together, this co-creation at TICAD 9, we focus on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women, and regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa.”
Highlighting demographic shifts, Ishiba pointed to Japan’s declining population and shrinking agricultural land as a sharp contrast to Africa’s rapidly expanding youth population.
“There is another potential in Africa; there is so much growing young population in Africa, but for the power of young people in Africa to flourish, you need to create a manufacturing industry and create employment, and that, I believe, is very important,” the Prime Minister noted.
