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OPENING REMARKS by H.E. Mr. Moses Vilakati, African Union
Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and
Sustainable Environment (ARBE)
UNIDO–AUC–AUDA-NEPAD TICAD 9 Side Event on: Leveraging
Innovation for Africa’s Industrial Transformation: Building Resilience in a
Globalized Economy
Yokohama, Japan, 21 August 2025
• H.E. Ms. Fatou Haidara, Deputy to the Director General, UNIDO,
• H.E. Mr. Ogushi Masaki, State Minister, Ministry of Economy, Trade and
Industry of Japan,
• H.E. Ministers and distinguished heads of delegation,
• H.E. Nardos Bekeleb-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD
• Leaders from Smart Africa, development banks, and the private sector,
• Colleagues from academia, civil society, and the media,
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It is an honour to join you in Yokohama for TICAD 9. I extend our deep appreciation to the
Government and people of Japan for their warm hospitality and Japan’s steadfast partnership with
Africa. The Japanese ethos of Kaizen, emphasizing « continuous improvement, » and the spirit
of resilience resonate profoundly with Africa’s journey toward transformation, sustainability, and
shared prosperity.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Africa’s pursuit of inclusive and sustainable industrialization unfolds amid rapid technological
advancements, shifting global value chains, and mounting climate and geopolitical challenges. Yet,
our continent holds tremendous potential to expand innovation ecosystems, with more than 600
hubs, and the continental market of the AfCFTA uniting over 1.4 billion people and a combined
GDP exceeding $3.4 trillion.
Moreover, we must confront persistent structural challenges, as Africa’s share of global
manufacturing remains under 2%, and the proportion of medium- and high-technology
manufactured goods has stagnated at around 15% for decades. Massive infrastructure gaps,
fragmented regulatory environments, and limited R&D investment constrain our ability to scale
innovation and build resilient industries.
This is why the theme of this event is timely, as we discuss strategies to translate innovation into
competitiveness, jobs, and value addition across various sectors, including agriculture,
manufacturing, energy, and the blue economy.
Excellencies,
Allow me to reflect on concrete pathways:
• From farm to factory, precision agriculture, agro-processing, and digital logistics are
connecting our farmers to markets, reducing losses, and driving rural industrialization. Across
the African continent, the evolution of agro-industrial parks is demonstrating how coordinated
investments in energy, water, standards, and skills can unlock value chains.
• Modernising manufacturing through digitalisation, robotics, and green technologies in
alignment with Japan’s Kaizen initiative improves quality, productivity, and resource
efficiency, especially for SMEs.
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• Youth and innovation ecosystems are transforming our demographic dividend into an
innovation dividend. With targeted skills, incubation, and finance, Africa’s startups and
research institutions are co-creating solutions that are both locally relevant and globally
impactful.
• The blue economy, encompassing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, as well as marine-
based renewable energy and coastal tourism, drives value addition and livelihoods while
protecting fragile ecosystems.
These pathways align with Agenda 2063 and are reinforced by the Joint Communiqué of the 2024
TICAD Ministerial Meeting, which reaffirmed the AU–Japan partnership for a prosperous and
resilient Africa.
Excellencies: Japan’s collaboration with Africa—through initiatives such as Kaizen, quality
infrastructure, One-Stop Border Posts, and technology transfer—has delivered tangible gains.
UNIDO’s technical expertise has been invaluable in advancing cleaner production, SME
upgrading, and industrial statistics that guide policy. AUDA-NEPAD and Smart Africa are
strengthening continental platforms for innovation, digitalization, and enterprise growth.
To accelerate impact, I would like to propose four areas for deeper cooperation.
1. We must scale technology transfer and co-creation in the areas of Research and
Development (R&D), standards, certification, and scaled mechanisms in AI, robotics,
advanced manufacturing, and green tech.
2. Energize regional value chains under the AfCFTA by harmonizing regulations and quality
standards, and deploy digital trade facilitation and smart logistics.
3. Finance for resilience and green industrialization through blended finance and de-risking
instruments for clean energy in industrial zones, resource efficiency, and circular economy
projects.
4. Co-designed curricula, TVET-apprenticeship pathways, and leadership programs for
women and youth in manufacturing, agritech, and the blue economy.
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Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I also propose that we identify a set of flagship initiatives to pursue:
• A Japan–Africa Green Industrial Zones Initiative focused on renewable energy, resource
efficiency, and circularity.
• Regional agro-processing value chains tied to AfCFTA corridors, with digital traceability and
logistics.
• A Blue Economy Innovation Facility to scale sustainable aquaculture, fisheries management,
and coastal resilience.
As we co-create these solutions, the African Union stands ready to work with UNIDO, AUDA-
NEPAD, the Government of Japan, development banks, and the private sector to accelerate
implementation and track progress through clear metrics on productivity, job creation, inclusivity,
and sustainability.
Dear colleagues,
With Japan’s partnership, Africa’s ingenuity, and the commitment of all stakeholders gathered here,
we can move from promise to performance by building resilient industries that compete globally,
create dignified jobs, and steward our environment for generations to come.
I thank you for your attention and wish us productive deliberations.
