‘Leave no one in global digital shift’ . . . Technological partnerships key: President

Fungi Kwaramba in YOKOHAMA, Japan

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has called for a new era of technological partnership between Africa and Japan, saying cutting-edge innovations are crucial for revolutionising the continent’s key sectors and ensuring no one and no country is left behind in the global digital shift and development.

Addressing the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) here yesterday, the President outlined a vision where Zimbabwe and Africa at large forge synergies with Japanese firms, prioritising critical technology and skills transfer.

Currently, Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa said, is actively seeking to bridge the digital divide, especially in rural areas, by building modern infrastructure and providing services to all parts of the country.

“Zimbabwe is actively pursuing regional digital infrastructure projects to bridge the digital divide, especially in rural areas. Africa’s citizens and economies must be enabled to fully participate in the digital age. New technologies must impact our agriculture, mining, blue economies, infrastructure development and social service delivery,” he said.

As the world shifts to green energy, African countries, which are endowed with rich mineral resources such as lithium and rare metals, must be brought on board to create synergies that are sustainable and impactful for the people.

“Climate action and adaptation in Africa requires substantial and predictable financing that goes in line with the socio-economic development strategies of our countries. The global shift to green energy must see Africa leverage our abundant critical minerals to fully participate in new-energy value chains. To achieve this, we look forward to synergies with Japanese companies and other investors, while also fostering technology and skills transfer,” President Mnangagwa said.

Further, he said, enduring relations between Africa and Japan must lead to the co-creation of a future that improves the lives of Africans.

President Mnangagwa addresses delegates at Plenary session 2 on Economy, at Pacifico Yokohama Conference Centre, in Japan yesterday.- Picture: Presidential Photographer Tawanda Mudimu.

“The enduring partnership between Japan and Africa must see us co-create the future we want; hand-in-hand and side-by-side; towards a higher quality of life for our peoples, no one and no country must be left behind,” said the President. He added that Artificial Intelligence must be inclusive, ethical and human centric.

“Artificial intelligence governance is vital to drive development in Africa and must be human-centric, ethical and inclusive. Benefits should accrue to all segments of our societies and contribute directly to Africa’s development priorities and not exacerbate inequalities,” said the President.

This year’s TICAD summit, which concludes today, has seen Africa and Japan pioneer a new chapter in their relations, moving from “Made in Japan” to “Made Together”.

This collaborative model is moving from theory to practice, with Japan taking a keen interest in Africa’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, which include the massive Batoka Gorge hydroelectric project on the Zimbabwe-Zambia border and the long-dormant Grand Inga Dam development on the Congo River in the DRC, a venture with the potential to power a huge portion of the continent.

The strategy also encompasses resource security, with Japan showing strong interest in Zimbabwe’s reserves of rare earth minerals — essential components for modern electronics and green technology.

In his speech, President Mnangagwa underlined the importance of human capital development, genuine technology transfer and joint investments that create clear, mutual benefits.

The indaba, co-chaired by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and African Union Chair Angolan President João Lourenço, has drawn delegations from over 45 African nations.

It was also graced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and top World Bank officials.

For Zimbabwe, the forum’s focus is a strategic alignment as key themes like infrastructure, industrialisation, food security and stability dovetail perfectly with the nation’s foreign policy and its central “Vision 2030” goal of achieving upper-middle-income status.

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