Japan-Africa Partnership at Africa Investment Forum 2024: Driving Innovation in Agriculture and Green Energy Transition

African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina emphasized the pivotal role of Japanese innovation in unlocking Africa's vast potential.

The Africa Investment Forum 2024 Market Days showcased a burgeoning partnership between Africa and Japan, highlighting transformative opportunities in agriculture and energy transition. African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina emphasized the pivotal role of Japanese innovation in unlocking Africa's vast potential.

Held on December 9, the plenary session attracted over 100 Japanese investors and featured panel discussions on agriculture and energy. These discussions explored cutting-edge technologies, digital solutions, and business models reshaping Africa’s landscape.

Africa’s Agricultural Renaissance

“Agriculture is the place to be,” declared Dr. Adesina, pointing to Africa's control of 65% of the world's remaining arable land. He underscored the continent’s potential to drive global food markets, projected to be worth $1 trillion by 2030.

Pioneering Technologies in Agriculture

Satellite Crop Monitoring: Space Shift Inc. demonstrated an AI-powered satellite system enhancing agricultural productivity in Nigeria. By integrating optical and radar satellite data, this technology enables precise crop monitoring, harvest predictions, and credit scoring for farmers.

Smart Agriculture Projects: AAIC Partners Africa Limited showcased large-scale projects in Rwanda and Tanzania. Leveraging IoT and satellite technologies, they have transformed 1,700 hectares of farmland.

Instant Payment Solutions: VunaPay introduced a platform providing immediate payments to farmers, addressing financial delays that often plague agricultural workers.

Carbon Credits for Farmers: Green Carbon Inc. presented innovative methods like biochar and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) for rice fields, reducing methane emissions by up to 50% and generating carbon credits.

Strategic Partnerships in Agriculture

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) outlined a comprehensive strategy for private-sector investments in climate-resilient agriculture, food security, and financial inclusion. The AfDB has also collaborated with JICA on a $600 million Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA) facility.

AfDB’s ecosystem approach, which includes partnerships like the MasterCard Community Pass program targeting 100 million African farmers, is advancing agriculture through digital financial services and access to crucial information.

Advancing Green Energy and Digital Solutions

Africa’s energy transition was another focal point, with Japanese companies championing innovative solutions:

• Clean Energy Technologies: Hitachi Energy is deploying infrastructure to deliver renewable energy to rural and urban areas while supporting electrification and grid stability.
• Hydrogen and Clean Cooking: Mizuho Bank emphasized investments in hydrogen technologies and clean cooking solutions to combat harmful emissions, which affect 80% of African households.
• Renewable Energy Projects: Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) highlighted its role in financing wind and solar projects in Egypt and Kenya, with a $5 billion project pipeline in Africa.
• Net-Zero Start-Ups: Uncovered Fund is nurturing African start-ups focusing on climate technologies and electric vehicle (EV) battery services.

JOGMEC, the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, spotlighted its initiatives to bridge the price gap in the hydrogen and ammonia sectors to promote a low-carbon future in Africa.

Japan’s Commitment to Africa’s Development

Deputy Vice Minister of Finance Daiho Fujii reaffirmed Japan’s longstanding support for African development, tracing its roots back to 1973. With an emphasis on co-creating innovative solutions, Fujii underscored Japan’s respect for African ownership in shaping its development trajectory.

The Road Ahead: TICAD 9

Looking toward the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in 2025, Japanese officials highlighted plans to deepen collaborations in agriculture and green energy. Executive Director Takaaki Nomoto’s efforts to boost Japanese investor participation at the Forum underline growing interest.

Catalyzing Action

Ken Shibusawa, Vice-chairperson of the Africa Project Team at Keizai Doyukai, called for Japanese businesses to translate interest into action. “We have the technology, the people, and the resources, but we lack action,” Shibusawa remarked, urging businesses to seize opportunities in Africa.

Conclusion: A New Era of Partnership

The Africa Investment Forum 2024 underscored the transformative potential of Japanese technology and investment in Africa’s agricultural and energy sectors. This strengthened partnership sets the stage for sustainable development, food security, and green energy transitions, heralding a brighter future for both regions.