The ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), took place from August 20 to 22 in Yokohama, Japan. With the theme “Co-Create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” TICAD9 aimed to capitalise on both Japanese innovation capacity and African creativity.

International organisation leaders are among the approximately fifty African heads of state or high-ranking delegates in attendance. TICAD9 was also attended by Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa. An Indian Ocean-Africa commercial Zone was proposed by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in an effort to strengthen commercial ties between the Middle East, India, the Indian Ocean region and Africa.

He has unveiled a US$5.5 billion credit plan that was arranged with the African Development Bank to help Africa’s debt problems and promote sustainable development. In order to support the digital transformation of economies and increase job creation, he also promised to train 30,000 AI specialists over the course of the following three years.

Japan is the initiator and launcher of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), an international conference. It is Japan’s premier diplomatic endeavour that strengthens ties between Japan and Africa while offering a forum for cooperation between Africa, Japan and other nations.

In 1993, the UN, UNDP, World Bank and African Union Commission co-hosted the first TICAD in Tokyo. Every three years, the meeting alternates between Africa and Japan. Through TICAD, Japan and international organisations collaborate with Africa to advance sustainable development, peace, stability and prosperity. Africa leads, with cooperation from international partners, in a partnership that goes beyond aid. All partners, including nations, organisations, the commercial sector and civil society, our encouraged to use the platform.

TICAD’s goal is to advance Africa’s development, with a particular emphasis on industrialisation, sustainable development, economic expansion and conflict avoidance in African nations; bolster collaboration by giving African nations, Japan, international organisations, development partners and the private sector a forum to work together.

Japan has a strategic but gentle influence in Africa, relying more on technology and assistance diplomacy than on force. From US $8 billion in 2000 to US$24 billion in the early 2020s, Japan’s commerce with Africa has increased significantly. Additionally, it agreed to provide US $5 billion in co-financing with the African Development Bank for a credit line for African and Japanese start-ups, with US $4 billion going towards a green growth initiative and training 30,000 African professionals in fields such as public administration and medicine. Under PM Shinzo Abe, TICAD developed into a platform for growing aid and corporate partnerships.

As of January 2025, Japan has 41 resident embassies on the continent, expanding its diplomatic presence. Japan and the UN Economic Commission for Africa began a US$1 million initiative in May 2025 to help implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).

Japan gave Madagascar a loan of €350 million and technical assistance to support the expansion of the Toamasina Port, Senegal a loan of US $4.7 million to repair Mole 3 at Dakar Port and the Ivorian government a further loan of 10 billion CFA Francs to fund the building of the Grain Terminal at the Autonomous Port of Abidjan. When PM Kishida visited Ghana in May 2023, he promised to use US $500 million over three years to promote peace and security in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea.

Japanese companies invest in the energy, infrastructure and industrial industries. Japan is one of Africa’s most significant development partners. Japan is concentrating on infrastructure, healthcare, education and technology. Japan is now a major player on the continent and its connection with Africa has developed into a stronger friendship and cooperative partnership throughout time.

The Kenyan Nurse Consultants Limited (KNCL) and the Kenya Progressive Nurses Association (KPNA) have formed a strategic relationship to enhance professional development and provide nurses with access to international career routes.

Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, hosted the meeting, which included representatives from the British Council, KNCL, and KPNA. The program aims to close training, mentorship and international opportunity gaps so Kenyan nurses can succeed domestically and outside.

The goal of the consultancy is to empower nurses by providing them with thorough training and professional guidance. KNCL, which has locations all throughout the nation, assists nurses in getting ready for professions abroad by offering study abroad referrals, brief clinical instruction in life-saving techniques and National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam coaching.

Speaking on behalf of the British Council, Stephanie Wange emphasised how crucial it is for Kenyan nurses who want to work overseas to be able to communicate in English. Before granting licenses to foreign-trained nurses, countries like the US, UK, Canada and Australia demand international English proficiency tests.

According to Wange, the collaboration will make these tests more accessible by lowering costs and streamlining logistics, enabling more nurses to get over geographical and financial obstacles. One of the most frequent barriers for nurses looking to pursue opportunities outside of Kenya is addressed by this approach.

KPNA President Michael Ngesa praised the partnership, pointing out that the organisation has historically supported professionalism, ongoing medical education and nurse mentorship. The group expects that by partnering with KNCL, professional development will become more accessible and cheap, particularly in rural regions where opportunities are few.

“It is an investment in Kenya’s healthcare system to empower nurses,” Ngesa stated, adding that “better-trained nurses result in better patient outcomes across the country.”

In order to guarantee that no nurse is left behind, he emphasised the significance of making training programs accessible and inclusive.

The company’s goal was broadened by Edwin Simiyu, CEO of KNCL, to give nurses the resources they need for jobs both domestically and abroad. He noted that Kenyan nurses who previously had to fly outside for testing now had fewer obstacles thanks to the opening of an NCLEX exam centre in Nairobi.

Simiyu underlined that the collaboration with KPNA will also shield nurses from being taken advantage of by dishonest people by providing them with a reliable and organised route from education to employment.

He pointed out that nurses will receive skills, career assistance and mentorship through diaspora support programs, decentralised training and short courses like Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS).

The CEO of KNCL went on to say that the collaboration aims to empower professionals with top-notch capabilities, bolstering Kenya’s healthcare sector in addition to enabling nurses find jobs outside.

Stakeholders pledged to carry out the stated objectives, which included clinical training, mentorship sessions and assistance with international job placement.

This collaboration shows how cooperation amongst international organisations, private consultancies and professional groups can provide answers to local and global healthcare problems. KNCL, KPNA and the British Council are building a system that empowers professionals, shields them from exploitation and fortifies Kenya’s health sector by training nurses for roles abroad while fostering their development domestically.

In order to guarantee that healthcare data is handled, safeguarded and used responsibly throughout its lifecycle, a framework of policies, procedures and practices known as health data governance, will be strengthened and standardised throughout the continent by the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC).

The Africa CDC declared that it will take the lead in creating a Continental Health Data Governance Framework, which will be presented to Member States for approval during the AU Summit in February 2026.

In her welcoming remarks, Dr Martha Terefe, Deputy Chief of Staff, Africa CDC, stated, “Such a framework would establish an agreement between Member States regarding optimal legislation and regulation for the effective and equitable governance of health data and build continental alignment and collaboration around a harmonised African position on health data governance that supports cross-border data flows, with the necessary protections in place.”

“Governance is the throne, but data is king,” stated Namibia’s Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Esperance Luvindao.

There was never a greater pressing need for Dr. Luvindao. Treating data as a valuable asset rather than letting it turn into a burden is essential in the current era of digitalisation and artificial intelligence. Decision-making, illness outbreak prediction and policy creation should all be guided by health data. However, we run the risk of losing control over this priceless resource in the absence of trustworthy, moral and well-coordinated government.

“Health information is potent. It can close equity gaps, assist real-time decision-making, enhance health outcomes and fortify health systems when properly managed. According to Dr. Terefe, it can facilitate what is known as precision public health, which is the capacity to customise interventions based on timely, localised, and genuine data.

The Framework will draw on current norms and standards, such as the equality and rights-based principles outlined in the widely accepted Health Data Governance Principles and be guided by the AU Data Policy Framework as well as current best practices and techniques used by nations.

At the request of Member States, Africa CDC has also promised to promote the establishment or improvement of national health data governance laws and regulations by offering Member States normative direction and technical assistance to build local capability.

Judith Nguimfack, Principal Digital Delivery Specialist, Africa CDC, who moderated the session, stated, “The commitment reflects the collective resolve of the continental agency to strengthen the governance, protection, and responsible use of health data as a cornerstone for equitable, resilient, and people-centered health systems.”

Amidst the rapidly changing governance landscape in the age of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, Africa CDC is signalling a sea change in the continent’s strategy for digital and health transformation. In order to support evidence-based policymaking, protect data sovereignty, improve public health outcomes, spur innovation, streamline the sector and protect the rights and confidence of African residents, it establishes health data as a strategic asset.

A unified continental framework will encourage the sharing of best practices and experiences throughout the continent, create a shared understanding and consensus regarding key legislative provisions, support legal coherence across jurisdictions, build trust, make cross-border data sharing easier and encourage the growth and expansion of innovations across nations.

The Africa CDC’s pledge marks a significant turning point in our journey. “Transform Health is dedicated to supporting these efforts towards more robust health data governance that protects rights, fortifies systems, and unlocks the potential of data for health for everyone in the digital age,” stated Mathilde Forslund, Executive Director, Transform Health, one of the Flagship co-chairs.

To improve STEM learning environments at 13 model secondary schools in Dodoma and Simiyu, KOICA is collaborating closely with the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST). The initiative, which has a USD 10 million investment, intends to raise the standard of science and ICT education, boost participation, especially among girls and develop instructors’ and students’ digital skills.

The Government of Tanzania Health Operations and Management Information System (GoTHOMIS) is being expanded throughout the eight districts of the Dodoma Region with assistance from KOICA. The project’s main goal is to digitise primary healthcare facilities, which provide services to most Tanzanians. In order to improve patient care and system efficiency, it involves installing ICT infrastructure, enhancing the skills of healthcare professionals and sharing data in real time.

Together, these programs demonstrate KOICA’s dedication to empowering communities in Tanzania’s most important public sectors via digital innovation and inclusive, sustainable development.

This initiative’s Project Action Officer, Song Jeonghoo, sees it as more than just infrastructure—it’s personal. He said, “I’ve always wanted to help bring about significant change.” “Working directly with Tanzanian communities and supporting students who deserve better opportunities in science and technology was made possible by this project.” His love of cross-cultural cooperation and sustainable development led him to Tanzania, where he is currently observing the results of his labour firsthand.

According to Jeonghoo, “these labs give students crucial access to real-world, hands-on learning.” “Educators can now present more engaging and dynamic lessons, incorporating real-world science into repetition techniques.” Communities have already shown excitement and school administrators have hailed the effort as a game-changer, even if full implementation is still proceeding.

KOICA’s strategy places a strong emphasis on gender inclusiveness. In order to address the gender gap in STEM areas, the project includes gender-responsive interventions such as mentorship programs with female role models, STEM clubs and science competitions that encourage equitable participation. Jeonghoo underlined that encouraging girls to study science is a priority rather than an afterthought. “All girls should envision themselves behind a computer, in a lab coat, or spearheading innovation.”

The reaction from the community has been very positive. The idea that these chances can change the future of girls in rural Tanzania is becoming more and more popular among parents, educators and students. Even though the project is still in its early stages, young students are already demonstrating obvious enthusiasm.

KOICA is investing in people in addition to infrastructure. In order to strengthen national policy, senior Tanzanian education officials have received advanced STEM training in Korea. Additionally, a multi-phase training program is being developed to provide teachers with digital tools, gender-sensitive teaching strategies and real-world scientific applications.

According to Jeonghoo, “STEM is about solving problems, improving lives and building national capacity; it’s not just about equations or computers.” In his ideal future, Tanzanian students—particularly female students—will view STEM as an approachable route to achievement and creativity rather than as a discipline reserved for the privileged.

Tanzania’s scientific and technological future appears brighter with KOICA’s unwavering support—one lab, one instructor and one student at a time.

In addition to providing Tanzania’s youth with digital skills through revolutionary investments in STEM education, KOICA is updating the country’s healthcare system to guarantee that digital innovation enhances daily life at the local level.

Working on the GoTHOMIS expansion project has been a very meaningful experience for Field Manager Eunson. “One of the most direct ways to improve lives is through healthcare,” he stated. “After learning about Tanzania’s government’s digital health initiatives, I was confident that KOICA could help bring about long-lasting change, particularly in primary healthcare, where more than 65% of people receive care.”

The leaders of China and Kenya say their relationship is going “to a new level.”

The announcement coincides with Kenyan President William Ruto’s first official visit to Beijing, despite the fact that he had previously made two separate journeys to China.

Both China and Kenya have been looking for tighter partnerships elsewhere after trade tensions with the United States, so the timing of the visit could not be more important.

The 10% taxes that US President Donald Trump placed on Kenyan exports last month have sped up the country’s eastward migration. China has made significant infrastructure investments in Nairobi in recent years and hopes to keep up this trend; plans for a road and a railway project are among the items on the table in talks with Beijing.

China, on the other hand, views a stronger partnership with Nairobi as an attractive gateway point to East Africa and beyond.

According to reports, Xi and Ruto signed 20 cooperation agreements during their meeting in a variety of fields, including technology, the economy and security.

According to reports, President Ruto also stated interest in joining the BRICS nations, which include China.

China offered 500 scholarships and announced plans to start 20 yearly exchange programs in the future, strengthening Kenya-China cooperation in the health sector.

The partnership is essential to forming the nation’s future health leadership, according to a statement released by Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Health Aden Duale during a meeting with a group headed by Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan.

Duale pointed out that the two parties had also spoken about utilising Chinese technology to create regional centres for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

According to Duale, the $500 million joint project aims to enhance Kenya’s supply chains, lessen reliance on imports, generate jobs and establish the East African country as a pioneer in the production of health products.

Additionally, he suggested creating a Kenya-China Health Cooperation Taskforce to coordinate objectives, accelerate the signing of memorandums of understanding and track advancements.

Duale praised China’s continuous assistance through technology companies, which have been significant in teaching thousands of health professionals and outfitting rural health facilities.

Amref Health Africa- Tanzania (Amref) has formally begun a revolutionary project to improve epilepsy care and support for individuals with neurological illnesses in partnership with the Tanzanian government through the Ministry of Health. Targeting the districts of Bahi and Chamwino as pilot districts for scalable, community-based epilepsy care, the new initiative, named “Enhancing Epilepsy Care in Africa (EECA),” was formally introduced in Dodoma.

The Ministry of Health (MOH), the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), the Tanzania Epilepsy Association (TEA), the Parents Organisation for Children with Epilepsy in Tanzania (POCET), the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), the University of Antwerp, Belgium and Amref Health Africa Tanzania are all partners in the three-year project, which will run from January 1, 2025, to December 30, 2027. The BAND Foundation and the UCB Innovation for Health Equity Fund are the project’s funding sources.

People with epilepsy, parents, carers and families of those with epilepsy, as well as community leaders, medical professionals and policymakers, are the project’s target audience.

Amref Tanzania’s programs on Strengthening Health Systems (HSS) and Empowering Communities to deliver sustainable, people-centered healthcare are directly aligned with this project. The project intends to enhance health outcomes and social inclusion for PWE and their families through early diagnosis, better treatment, training for health workers and grassroots anti-stigma initiatives.

According to Dr. Aisa Muya, Director of Programs at Amref Tanzania, “the EECA project is a crucial step in furthering Amref’s mission to strengthen health systems and empower communities. We are fostering long-term community resilience and ownership in addition to enhancing medical access by integrating epilepsy care into Tanzania’s basic healthcare system. In order to provide more accessible and equitable healthcare, this model matches our larger HSS strategy of investing in data, human resources, service delivery and community leadership.

Acting Director of Curative Services, Ministry of Health, Dr. Winifrida Kidima, who presided over the launch, underlined the project’s national importance.

The EECA project will be implemented within Tanzania’s primary healthcare system, guaranteeing institutional ownership, policy alignment and long-term sustainability. Its anti-stigma initiatives, community mobilisation and training of medical professionals, community health workers (CHWs), carers and local influencers will be key components.

The project is expected to lead to stronger government focus on epilepsy and other brain conditions, better community awareness and less stigma and improved ways to prevent, diagnose and treat epilepsy. It also aims to improve how health data is collected and used to support planning and funding, helping to reduce the gap in epilepsy treatment.

Despite impacting millions of people globally, epilepsy frequently goes unrecognised because of stigma and misconceptions, particularly in areas with few resources. In Tanzania, people with epilepsy frequently encounter obstacles in their social lives, careers, education and access to healthcare. The EECA initiative seeks to alter this narrative by putting individuals and communities at the centre of its approach, providing better care along with a revitalised sense of opportunity, inclusion and dignity.

Medical aid needs to change to accommodate the requirements of contemporary South Africans and they are honoured to be at the forefront of this change.

On October 1, a daring new medical assistance program will be introduced. With the strength of Sanlam and Fedhealth’s 89-year history of innovation, it is built to provide exactly what have been requesting: greater affordability, choice and value.

After hearing what South Africa wants from a program, they’re enhancing what already exists, making adjustments where needed and developing a medical assistance experience that genuinely prioritises patients.

Earlier this year, Fedhealth was appointed as Sanlam’s sole open medical scheme provider, combining the experience of a financial giant with a legacy of innovation.

This action bolsters the Sanlam group’s entire financial services value proposition, which aims to deliver a comprehensive health solution to both current and prospective customers. The collaboration furthers Sanlam’s goal of providing a more comprehensive, cost-effective, and sustainable healthcare, insurance and investment offering.

This deal would help Fedhealth achieve its goal of increasing its market share in South Africa’s corporate market, which could result in a significant influx of new corporate members through Sanlam’s existing clientele.

The new Scheme will continue to function as a separate organisation, with a Board of Trustees made up of Scheme members.

A project was started by the Tanzanian government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to train communities in first-aid procedures for victims of traffic accidents.

Improving Post-Crash Care in Tanzania, a three-year project worth 485,350 USD, will implement and assess the effects of six WHO emergency care toolkit elements in pre-hospital and hospital settings along Tanzania’s most active highways that connect the country’s north and south.

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Tanzania’s National Road Safety Council and the WHO collaborated on the initiative, which was made possible by funding from the UN Road Safety Fund.

The initiative aims to enhance post-crash care by increasing ambulance services’ capacity and educating layperson first responders, according to Hendry Sawe, head of the MUHAS’ Emergency Medicine Department.

According to Sawe, these trained responders will be prepared to offer emergency care at crash scenes, guaranteeing the victims’ safe transfer to medical facilities with improved emergency care capabilities.

The project is important, according to Galbert Fedjo, WHO’s health systems coordinator, who also noted that many people were killed and disabled in traffic accidents in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Tanzania.

He claimed that at 16 fatalities per 100,000, Tanzania’s road traffic death rate is still frighteningly high.

With prompt emergency care, many of these fatalities and impairments may have been avoided. But Tanzania’s emergency care system has serious flaws, such as no established emergency medical services, no central dispatch mechanism and a lack of organised coordination,” Fedjo stated.

In order to improve healthcare services in the area and give the local medical infrastructure a much-needed boost, the Kericho County Government has set aside Sh158 million for the development of the Sosiot Level Four Hospital in Belgut Sub-County.

Governor Dr. Eric Mutai emphasised during the groundbreaking ceremony in Sosiot, Kericho County, that the three-story, state-of-the-art facility will significantly improve medical care in the area. He noted that the new hospital will house essential departments like Casualty, Outpatient Services and specialised clinics in Ophthalmology, Dentistry, ENT and Dermatology, greatly improving medical care for resident patients.

In order to improve security and accessibility, Governor Mutai further disclosed that the project will incorporate essential infrastructure improvements like perimeter fencing, cabro paving on the hospital grounds and a contemporary entrance gate.

He underlined that the construction of the hospital is an essential step in addressing the community’s expanding healthcare demands and guaranteeing that residents can receive services at a reasonable cost.

“This new facility complements the ongoing construction of a Mother and Child Unit, which is valued at sh57 million and was developed in collaboration with the Safaricom Foundation to provide critical paediatric and maternal care,” Dr. Mutai stated.

Other important hospital departments, such as a new theatre, radiology unit, laboratory and male and female wards, have made progress, the governor stated, and plans are in place to assign staff to these facilities so they may be fully operational.

“These efforts will provide much-needed healthcare services to the people of Sosiot and surrounding areas while relieving pressure on the Kericho County Referral Hospital,” Dr. Mutai said.

In Waldai Ward, Belgut Sub-County, Dr Mutai simultaneously put into service a Sh200 million water expansion project that includes building a 150,000-cubic-meter water storage tank, a 21-kilometer house-to-house distribution network and extending the Kericho-Kimugu water system with a 10-kilometer main pipeline from Kapsoit to Taplotin.

The Governor also disclosed that the County Government had allocated an additional Sh10 million under the Floods and Climate Change Adaptation (FLOCCA) initiative to improve the last-mile distribution network, guaranteeing that even the most isolated residences have access to water.