As the old saying goes: “If you are not at the table, then you are on the menu.” For far too long, Africa has been discussed in terms of poverty, fragility, and conflict, with little room for its true essence of richness and resources, ambition, innovation and unstoppable potential.

Multilateralism, once a grand vision for collective progress, now faces significant challenges. Originally designed for the postwar world, it is struggling to keep pace with today’s rapidly evolving global crises. The world is on the brink of climate catastrophe and facing the looming threat of global trade wars. In this context, business-as-usual is not just insufficient, it carries real risks.

This is where Japan comes in.

Japan understands resilience and champions human security. Hence its emphasis on building social capital alongside economic capital. Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), Japan’s signature platform for Africa, was ahead of its time when it was launched in 1993. It was bold, forward-thinking and built on a foundation of partnership with Africa. But what was visionary 30 years ago must be reimagined today, to address uncertain times and the unprecedented challenges they bring. As we prepare for TICAD9, I find myself reflecting on the platform’s true significance, not just as a diplomatic fixture, but as a vital space where African voices, in partnership with Japan, can actively shape global development in real time.

In a world increasingly defined by uncertainty, volatility and fragmentation, TICAD must evolve beyond a venue for aid announcements or project rollouts. It must become a platform for transformation, rooted in African agency, and responsive to the shifting global order. This means, for example, more co-creation with Africa and its institutions; and more emphasis on trade and activating private sector connections and partnerships in vital sectors such as energy, AI and digital infrastructure.

My message is simple. Africa yearns for a new multilateralism, grounded in partnership, rather than charity—one that activates Africa’s immense potential and supports the continent’s journey toward economic and financial sovereignty. That means fairer trade rules, more affordable and accessible development finance, and the kind of public-private partnerships that unleash co-creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation, and shared prosperity.

This is not a favour to Africa. It is an investment in shared prosperity.

At the heart of this transformation is youth. I speak often of Africa’s young people not only because they make up the majority of our population (75 percent of Africa’s population is under the age of 35), but because they are our greatest source of energy, creativity, and hope. I see it every day in the young entrepreneurs launching startups, in the dynamic voices shaping policy, and in the artists and innovators turning Africa’s cultural capital into global economic value.

Africa’s fashion industry is worth over US$30 billion, our sports sector around $12 billion, and the film and ICT industries continue to grow rapidly. With the right investments and policy environment, these sectors could become global powerhouses. Imagine Japanese technology meeting African creativity.

We need to build more than bridges between continents. We need to build circuits of co-creation, where African ingenuity and Japanese precision and technology fuse into solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges: energy transition, food security, and digital inclusion.

TICAD9 is the platform to make these connections.

To support this momentum, UNDP has launched Pan-African hubs to foster innovation, and we are  bringing Africa’s voice to global stages like the Osaka Expo through Africa Week (17-24 August, 2025).

Together, we are shifting the conversation to tangible outcomes. From one-off projects to scalable, transformative investment portfolios. From counting wells and schools to nurturing entire ecosystems of innovation and opportunity.

That is why our partnership with Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) is so essential. Together, UNDP and JICA are helping to craft a shared development vision that unites Africa’s homegrown solutions with Japanese innovation and investment. It is not just about what we do—it is about how we do it: collaboratively, respectfully, and strategically.

TICAD9 offers a valuable opportunity to elevate Africa-Japan cooperation to new heights. It has the potential to be a defining moment to align ambitions with actions and speeches with meaningful partnerships. As the global landscape shifts, so too must the platforms that shape it. Africa is not merely a beneficiary of global goodwill; it is an engine of innovation, a driver of cultural and economic dynamism, and a vital partner in addressing shared challenges. Africa is the future! 

This is the essence of modern multilateralism: moving from transactions to true collaboration. A multilateralism that listens, invests with purpose, and fosters co-creation—one that recognizes Africa’s as a source of solutions and opportunities.

As Africa takes its rightful place at the global table, TICAD9 presents a timely invitation: to build partnerships grounded in mutual respect and shared prosperity. The only question that remains is: who is ready to take their seat beside us?

This article was originally published in JICA Magazine.