My experience in the events of the TICAD9 -Link to the Ethiopia fieldwork-

B3 YOSHIDA, Ouka

I participated in the events of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), which was held in Yokohama from August 20 to 22, 2025. In this article, I will describe the matters I learned through this experience.

On the 20th and 21st, I attended various events organized by international organizations at Pacifico Yokohama. I joined sessions hosted by the United Nations University and JICA that aligned with my interests. By listening to the research and perspectives of international scholars and practitioners, I deepened my knowledge in those fields. In particular, JICA’s event on migration focused on “sustainable approaches” to solve the migrant crisis. Discussions centered on how to uphold human dignity and how to welcome and utilize migrants. Moreover, it was highlighted that in today’s international society, misinformation has significantly influenced responses to migration, and the importance of social protection and domestic politics was repeatedly emphasized.

On the same days, the TICAD Business EXPO and Conference also took place. Many companies engaged in development assistance and business in Africa had set up booths. Since I usually focus on and study the support provided by international organizations, this was a valuable opportunity to learn about the activities of private companies. The venue was lively, with both Japanese and African participants in attendance. What surprised me most was realizing how many Japanese people are actually involved with Africa. In my daily life, I know many people who are not very familiar with Africa, so I hope this network will continue to expand among the people around me as well. I also had the opportunity to ask company staff about how they conduct business in African markets and the challenges they face.

Through participating in the events of TICAD9, I gained insight into the various organizations involved in Africa and their perspectives. This experience provided me with an opportunity to reflect on how I want to engage with Africa in the future.

[Photo taken at Minatomirai Station]

On the 24th, I participated in the poster session and Roundtable of AfriCampus 2025. AfriCampus 2025 was held as part of the TICAD9 side event “Young Africa Connect 2025.” I had the opportunity to interact with many university students studying Africa, as well as scholars and practitioners specializing in the continent.

[Participating members of the event]

Together with other first-, second, and third-year students, I prepared a poster titled “Insights from Fieldwork in Ethiopia – Sharing Experiences in the Seminar.” It summarized the lessons I learned during my fieldwork in Ethiopia in 2024. The poster highlighted my experiences during the visit and how those experiences continue to influence me personally and within my seminar group.

What we particularly emphasized was the presence of the “people” behind the text. This is something Professor Fujii often stresses as important, and indeed, my experience in Ethiopia continues to shape my current studies. Through the fieldwork, we were able to see the reality and recognize the actual presence of people. This experience has allowed us to study while keeping in mind the “people” behind the text, which has enabled me to feel a closer connection to Africa. Looking back, I realized once again how significant that experience was for me. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Professor Fujii, who accompanied us on the fieldwork, and to Ms. Fukuhara, who assisted us during the fieldwork.

During the presentation, I had the opportunity to receive feedback not only from students but also from experts. Being praised for the structure of our poster, in particular, gave me a great deal of confidence. I also learned a great deal about their research and experiences in different African countries. I would like to thank them again.

[Poster session]

At the Roundtable, five of us—three university students, an international student from Ghana, and a moderator—discussed the theme: “Why is Africa less discussed in Japan? How can we raise greater interest?” While our opinions differed slightly, we all agreed on the importance of building an equal relationship between African countries and Japan. This aligns with TICAD’s principle of “the spirit of equitable partnership.” Other topics included Japan’s strengths in being chosen as a partner by Africa, as well as how both the private sector and government can engage with Africa. Sharing perspectives from both Japanese and African viewpoints provided me with valuable new insights.

[Roundtable]

Even before entering university, I had a general interest in Africa. After enrolling in Professor Fujii’s classes and completing my fieldwork in Ethiopia, my interest in Africa has deepened, particularly from the perspectives of human rights and peace. My participation in the TICAD events deepened my interest, particularly in the connection between Japan and Africa. Inspired by Professor Fujii and our seniors who actually work in Africa, I aspire to pursue a career there in the future. I will continue to devote myself to my studies.