Lecture by AfDB President Adesina and “UTokyo Africa Evening #2” Held
On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the University of Tokyo hosted a student lecture and networking event titled "UTokyo Africa Evening #2," featuring Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, as the keynote speaker. The event, co-organized by UTokyo’s Presidential Planning Office Africa Working Group and the African Development Bank, was recognized as a partner event of The Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Held in Ito Hall on the Hongo Campus, the evening commenced with an opening speech by UTokyo President Teruo Fujii. Speaking on the theme "Harnessing the Power of African and Japanese Youth," Dr. Adesina emphasized the strategic importance of Africa and the potential of its youth. He highlighted the Bank’s initiatives aimed at investing in education and skills development, underscoring the value of Japan-Africa collaboration in fostering the growth of students and entrepreneurs.
Lecture by AfDB President Adesina
The lecture was followed by a panel discussion that included Dr. Adesina; Mr. Kentaro Nagai, CEO of SENRI; Prof. Kaori Hayashi, UTokyo Executive Vice President; and Mr. Takashi Nomoto, African Development Bank Executive Director. Panelists shared insights into the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs, the significance of international cooperation and investment, and the role of universities in promoting diversity and global perspectives. The Q&A session that followed saw active participation from students, resulting in an engaging discussion.
The lecture and discussion concluded with remarks from Mr. Takahiro Tsuda, Director of the Multilateral Development Banks Division at the International Bureau, Ministry of Finance.
Following these sessions, a networking event, "UTokyo Africa Evening #2," commenced with an opening speech by President Fujii and toast by President Adesina. Mr. Kenju Murakami, Deputy Director-General of the African Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offered remarks as a guest of the event.
A notable highlight was the participation of the UTokyo African Students Union, established following last year’s inaugural UTokyo Africa Evening. The Union members, alongside MPJ Youth, a student group interested in Africa, shared their experiences and aspirations, demonstrating the tangible outcomes of Africa-Japan academic collaboration. In all, 73 students, 35 guests, and 32 faculty and staff members participated in the networking session.
