Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has told the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) that Africa is seeking strategic partners rather than aid.
Speaking alongside leaders like Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu, Kenya’s William Ruto, and UN chief António Guterres, he stressed the need for bold action amid global economic uncertainty, trade shifts, and industrial changes.
Ramaphosa highlighted South Africa’s progress in stabilising energy, modernising infrastructure, promoting reindustrialization, and investing in green energy and electric vehicle industries.
Africa is not seeking aid. It is seeking partners. Partners that understand value co-creation, sustainable development and mutual industrialisation.#TICAD9 pic.twitter.com/wXX0yif9lH
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) August 21, 2025
He urged Japan to support tariff cooperation and partnership in infrastructure, energy, digital development, skills, youth innovation, and small business growth.
The president emphasised that Africa wants co-creation and sustainable development, not charity.
“Africa is not seeking aid. It is seeking partners. And that is why we are here. Partners that understand value co-creation, sustainable development and mutual industrialisation,” Ramaphosa said.
Japan aims to position itself as an alternative to China, which has heavily invested in African infrastructure through its Belt and Road Initiative.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@PresidencyZA
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
