Hybrid Seminar
TICAD9 Partner Project: Unlocking Africa’s Potential – Opportunities for EU-Japan Business Cooperation
Thursday, 11 December 2025 17:00-18:30 (JST) | 9:00-10:30 (CET) (Tokyo/Online)
(Languages: English, Japanese / Free of charge)
We are pleased to announce that the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation will host an event as a partner project of TICAD 9 that highlights Africa as an attractive investment destination for both Japanese and EU companies, with a particular focus on joint EU-Japan projects. This year marks a pivotal moment for Africa’s partnership with Europe and Japan. With the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) and the EU–Africa Business Forum both taking place in 2025, discussions on sustainable growth and the green transition are high on the international agenda. Against this backdrop, this hybrid seminar will offer a unique occasion to explore opportunities in the energy and infrastructure sectors, financing tools for EU and Japanese businesses, and how joint initiatives can drive mutually beneficial development across the African continent.
Programme:
16:30 (JST) Doors Open
17:00 (JST) | 9:00 (CET): Opening remarks
- Thomas GNOCCHI, Deputy Head of Mission, Delegation of the European Union to Japan
17:05 (JST) | 9:05 (CET): Keynote presentations
- European Commission (DG INTPA)
- Asad BEG, Senior Expert and team leader EU-AU Affairs, Pan-African Affairs Division, European External Action Service (EEAS)
- Hiromu KAJIWARA, Planning Division, Global Strategy Team (Africa), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
17:35 (JST) | 9:35 (CET): Learning from successful EU-Japan projects in Africa
- Airi IKEDO-OKUTANI, Director, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Representative, Spain Office of Index Strategy, Inc.
- EU and Japanese companies
18:05 (JST) | 10:05 (CET): Financing instruments available to the private sector for projects in Africa
- European Investment Bank (EIB)
- Kohei TOYODA, Director General, Energy Transformation Strategy Office, Energy and Natural Resources Finance Group, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
- Naoshige KINOSHITA, Deputy Head, Lead Program Coordinator, Asia External Representation Office, African Development Bank (AfDB)
18:25 (JST) | 10:25 (CET): Closing remarks
- Manuel HUBERT, EU-side Managing Director, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
18:30 (JST) | 10:30 (CET): Group picture
18:30-20:00: Networking reception, African-style buffet (on-site only)
Registration (mandatory)
Venue: Online (Zoom) | Delegation of the European Union to Japan, Europa House, Tokyo (Maps)
Date: Thursday, 11 December 2025, 17:00-18:30 (JST) | 9:00-10:30 (CET) (Doors open at 16:30)
Target audience: Japanese and EU companies interested in the latest policy developments in Africa, business opportunities in key sectors, and financing mechanisms available for the private sector
Language: English and Japanese (Simultaneous interpretation available)
Registration: Onsite: Register here by 04 December (free of charge)
Online: Register here by 04 December (free of charge)
Seminar info: More information here
Contact email: EJ3A@eu-japan.or.jp
EJEA 