Maseru, Aug. 24 — Heads of State and Government and delegations of Japan and African Union Member States, together with representatives of Co-organizers, the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations (UN), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank met in Yokohama, Japan, for the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).
The Heads of State and Government have noted that the IMF’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook painted a gloomy picture of global economic prospects, noting that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is subdued, debt levels remain high, protectionism is slowing world trade, the world is becoming more unequal, and rising inflationary pressures threaten macroeconomic stability.
They have also observed that poverty in all forms and dimensions remains the greatest global challenge, particularly in Africa, and its eradication is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, while recent geo-strategic shifts signal a weakening of multilateralism and multilateral institutions.
Furthermore, the Heads of State commented that while Africa’s GDP growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026 are above global averages, they are still insufficient to address poverty, create decent jobs and service debt, and although it possesses significant resources and avenues for growth, the continent remains particularly vulnerable to external shocks, and needs to foster and capitalize on creating enabling environments to promote innovation in all spheres to accelerate socio-economic transformation.
“We commend the recent democratic progress achieved in several African countries. However, we remain deeply concerned about the persistent hotspots of tension and armed conflict, particularly due to acts of terrorism in various parts of the continent, which continue to trigger severe humanitarian crises. The instability undermines economic prospects, negatively impacts human development and depletes natural, physical and financial resources, increases perceived risks, and places a heavier burden on public finances. In response to these challenges, coordinated, gradual and context-specific actions are essential to reverse these dynamics and fully harness emerging opportunities”. . . .
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