The Japanese government this weekend pledged to give Kenya about $9.78 million in aid to spur economic and social development in the Eastern African nation.
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“As Dahabshiil, we know the importance of partnerships since we operate across the continent, as well as in Europe, North America and the Middle East and have traded with Japanese companies.” observed Duale at the close of the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). In this respect, Tokyo will cooperate with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to boost private sector investment on the continent struggling with intermittent power outages, dilapidated infrastructure, poor sanitation and grinding poverty.
China on Monday criticised Japan for creating discord in resource-rich Africa where the two countries are competing for influence.
The two countries also signed a bilateral investment treaty. It has also demonstrated a growth in African ownership in the TICAD process.
African countries firmly opposed politicising of the TICAD and discussing Asian problems in Africa, and they firmly opposed Japan’s intention of imposing its own will on Africa, the spokesperson claimed.
The World Bank and the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria meanwhile pledged $24 billion over the next three to five years towards Africa’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage.
“I am confident that the presence of these CEOs who accompanied Prime Minister will be crucial in ensuring continued partnerships and translate into increased investment in Kenya and the region”, said the President.
“We emphasize that youth empowerment and capacity development are central to achieving demographic dividends, preventing forced migration and conflict and promoting peace building”, participants stated in a communiqué issued at the end of the two-day summit.
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Some 30 African heads of state are taking part in the conference, which runs until Sunday.
