On 20 August 2025, UNU, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Tokyo, hosted two thematic events during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). The sessions brought together academic experts and government representatives from Japan and Africa to explore Africa’s digital future.
The first event, Governance in the Digital Era: Lessons for Africa, examined how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) can be governed through ethical, inclusive and context-specific frameworks to support sustainable development across Africa. Following opening remarks by UNU Rector Professor Tshilidzi Marwala and Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation of Egypt, a keynote presentation was delivered by Mr. Nobuo Kiriyama, Director General for International Affairs, Global Strategy Bureau at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan. Mr Kiriyama introduced the Hiroshima AI Process, an initiative launched by the Government of Japan in 2023 to promote safe, secure and trustworthy AI systems.
The event continued with a panel discussion moderated by Professor Shinobu Yume Yamaguchi, Director of UNU-IAS, with panellists including Professor Marwala, Mr. Kiriyama, Professor Jun-ichi Takada (Executive Vice President for Global Affairs at Tokyo Institute of Technology), and Professor Carol Anne Spreen (Associate Professor of International Education at New York University). The session underscored the importance of developing AI governance systems rooted in African contexts and priorities to promote transparency, equity and resilience.
The second event, Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education in Africa: Advancing Innovation for Sustainable Progress, explored the transformative potential of AI in reshaping Africa’s higher education landscape. The event put particular focus on how AI-driven research and learning can accelerate sustainable development in Africa. After opening remarks by Professor Marwala and a video message from Ms. Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, a keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Atsufumi Yokoi, UNESCO Chair in Research and Education for Sustainable Development at Okayama University.
The event's panel session was moderated by Ms. Hanan Fadlon, a consultant specializing in psychology and AI, and featured Professor Marwala, Professor Yokoi, Professor Amr Adly (President of the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology), and Dr. Philip Osano (Chair of the UNU-IAS Board and COO at CIFOR–ICRAF). Their discussion addressed the opportunities and challenges of AI implementation in African universities, strategies for promoting equitable access to AI-powered learning tools, and policy recommendations to support national development priorities and global sustainability objectives.
On 21 August, UNU-IAS also organized a TICAD 9 thematic event that highlighted the contributions of the UNU-IAS Global Leadership Training Programme (GLTP) to achieving the SDGs in Africa. The event provided a platform for GLTP participants to reflect on their learnings and experiences in the programme, and how the programme had contributed to their current work across areas such as health, community development and international cooperation.
As the only UN organization headquartered in Japan, UNU has worked closely with the Government of Japan to support Africa’s development since the first TICAD in 1993. Under the leadership of UNU’s first African Rector, this year’s events reaffirmed that partnership, highlighting UNU’s enduring commitment to expanding its reach and impact across the African continent.
