Bridges
TICAD
Since 1993, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) has shaped the partnership between Tunisia, Japan and Africa.
- TICAD 9August 2025 · Yokohama
- Representation
- Headed by Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri.
- Core focus
- Co-creating digital solutions and managing climate challenges.
- Outcome
- The Tunisian Embassy in Tokyo secured continuity of the investment projects launched at the Tunis summit, and Tunisia cemented its status as Japan's premier geo-economic gateway to North Africa and Europe.
- TICAD 8August 2022 · Tunis
- Representation
- Co-chaired by Tunisian President Kais Saied.
- Core focus
- Post-pandemic economic resilience, health preparedness, and green energy.
- Outcome
- Tunisia hosted 48 African nations and 22 heads of state. The Tunis Summit closed with 92 joint agreements — including 6 major pacts for Tunisia. Japan pledged $30bn for African development plus a ¥12bn social-protection grant heavily focused on Tunisia.
- TICAD VIIAugust 2019 · Yokohama
- Representation
- Senior ministerial and business leaders.
- Core focus
- Digital transition and public–private economic partnerships.
- Outcome
- Tunisian companies networked with 50+ Japanese tech firms, and Tunisia secured its bid to host TICAD 8.
- TICAD V & VI2013 & 2016 · Yokohama & Nairobi
- Representation
- Foreign Ministry delegations.
- Core focus
- Security, health systems, and countering regional extremism.
- Outcome
- Tunisia aligned with Japan's 'human security' frameworks; in Nairobi — the first summit on African soil — it began lobbying to bring the event to North Africa.
- TICAD IVMay 2008 · Yokohama
- Representation
- High-level diplomatic delegation.
- Core focus
- Environmental issues, climate change, and private-sector investment.
- Preparatory milestone
- Tunisia's growing role led Tunis to host the TICAD IV Regional Preparatory Meeting for North, West and Central Africa in late 2007, convening 200+ international delegates.
- TICAD IIISept–Oct 2003 · Tokyo
- Representation
- Led by Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi.
- Core focus
- Mobilizing development resources and deepening direct bilateral relations.
- Outcome
- PM Ghannouchi held landmark talks with Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi, directly accelerating Japanese ODA loans into Tunisian engineering projects.
- TICAD IIOctober 1998 · Tokyo
- Representation
- Led by Ambassador Salah Hannachi with technical advisers.
- Core focus
- Integrating South–South cooperation models.
- Outcome
- Tunisia was highlighted as an ideal hub for industrial training, letting Tunisian experts train other African professionals with Japanese backing.
- TICAD IOctober 1993 · Tokyo
- Representation
- Attended by senior ministerial diplomats.
- Core focus
- Establishing early bilateral frameworks as Japan renewed international attention on post–Cold War African growth.
- Outcome
- Tunisia endorsed the landmark Tokyo Declaration on African Development, laying the groundwork for future infrastructure loans.