Japan and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are launching the Africa-Asia Platform, a groundbreaking initiative to foster youth entrepreneurship and innovation across continents. This platform aims to revolutionize knowledge transfer between Africa and Asia, creating a reciprocal exchange of technology and innovation. The ceremony, held at the United Nations University in Tokyo, gathered esteemed leaders and scholars, including Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group, Prof. Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria, and Dr. Teruo Fujii, President of the University of Tokyo. The event marked a significant step towards a collaborative future.
The Africa-Asia Platform is a comprehensive initiative supported by the Policy and Human Resource Development Grant (PHRDG), a Japanese trust fund within the AfDB. It comprises several key components: establishing an Africa-Asia knowledge partnership, fostering knowledge dialogue to support initiatives in both private and public sectors in Africa, and strengthening individual and institutional research capacity through inter-university networking and research. This platform is a direct outcome of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), held in Yokohama, Japan, in August 2025, with the theme 'Co-create innovative solutions with Africa,' emphasizing knowledge sharing.
Dr. Ould Tah emphasized the platform's potential, stating, 'The Africa-Asia Platform for New Public-Private Partnership Initiatives represents the next frontier of our collaboration. Its success will prove the viability and impact of linking Africa and Asia through innovative partnerships.' By empowering youth as drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship, the platform aims to build an attractive African market, promote investments, create quality jobs, address unsafe migration and insecurity, and foster a secure and prosperous future.
Prof. Petersen highlighted the ideal model of partnerships between Asian and African countries, where public and private actors collaborate, co-create, and drive innovation. He noted that universities are strategically positioned to bridge the gaps between Asian and African actors through their inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge production, local and global networks, and convening role. Dr. Teruo Fujii added, 'The Africa-Asia Platform will serve as a foundation for knowledge exchange, linking researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, fostering new business partnerships, joint research on public policy, and cross-continental learning opportunities for students and young professionals.'
This initiative complements existing AfDB innovation projects, such as the Pan African University Phase 2 and the ENNOVA project, an AI-powered platform providing stakeholders with market studies, capacity-building, knowledge resources, financial opportunities, and prototyping and incubation tools. The leaders of the implementing organizations, including the AfDB, the University of Pretoria, and the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo, have agreed to cooperate to achieve the platform's objectives and promote skills development, youth entrepreneurship, and innovation for Africa's sustainable development.
This collaboration between Japan and the AfDB is a significant step towards a more connected and prosperous future for Africa and Asia, with a focus on empowering youth and fostering innovation.
