President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Africa’s readiness for business by highlighting the importance of a rules-based trading system and pledging support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

In his closing remarks at the end of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan, President Mahama urged his fellow African leaders to embrace critical reforms and ensure stability to make the continent a credible and attractive destination for global investment.

“Africa is open for business. We wish to partner with any nation on a win-win basis. But let’s not kid ourselves, trade and investments will not come to Africa because we wish for it,” he said.

The three-day conference concluded with the adoption of the Yokohama Declaration, which outlined enhanced Japan-Africa cooperation in economy, society, and peace and stability.

It sought to address the Continent’s pressing challenges such as poverty and the weakening of multilateralism.

The Yokohama Declaration also pledged deeper cooperation on health, youth entrepreneurship, and governance, stating that democracy and the rule of law were the bedrock for sustainable development.

With the curtains drawn on TICAD 9, the focus now shifts to the implementation of these commitments.

The next conference is scheduled to be held in Africa in 2028, where the continent would showcase the progress made in creating the stable, reformed environment that attracts win-win partnerships.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in his closing remarks, unveiled significant new programmes, including an initiative to create an Indian Ocean-Africa economic zone to facilitate Japanese business expansion.

The Prime Minister further announced an ambitious programme to train 300,000 African professionals in artificial intelligence over the next three years.

He also revealed that Japanese companies were set to invest $100 million in Ghana.