Japan and African Development Bank Mark 30 Years of Strategic Partnership Through Japan-Backed Trust Fund

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has marked the 30th anniversary of the Policy and Human Resource Development Grant (PHRDG), a Japan-backed bilateral trust fund established in 1994. The fund has played a pivotal role in Africa’s development, supporting over 100 transformative projects aimed at bolstering human capital across the continent.

At a ceremony held on October 16 in Tokyo, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, presented a commemorative publication showcasing the successful collaboration between Japan and the AfDB. The publication highlights three decades of impactful projects funded by the PHRDG and the grant’s critical role in advancing Africa’s socioeconomic growth.

Since its inception, Japan has contributed JPY 5.3 billion ($37.4 million) to the trust fund, facilitating 107 projects, 96 of which are completed, with 11 still in progress as of September 2024. In recent years, Japan’s contributions have surged, reflecting its strengthened commitment to promoting a climate-smart, inclusive, and resilient Africa.

Japan's Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Atsushi Mimura, expressed satisfaction with the enduring partnership with the AfDB and pledged continued support, particularly for the African Development Fund, private sector initiatives, and joint ventures between Japanese and African startups.

"We look forward to deepening Japan's relationship with the African Development Bank," he said.

Mimura described the African Development Bank Group's partnership with the World Bank's plan to bring electricity to 300 million Africans (Mission 300) as a powerful narrative that draws attention to the continent's energy needs.

Adesina commended Japan for its strong support of the African Development Fund, noting that the Fund has delivered impressive results. He sought the country's support on a wide range of issues, including the 17th general replenishment of the African Development Fund, Mission 300, Special Drawing Rights, the private sector, and start-ups, among others. “We thank the people of Japan for standing in solidarity with the people of Africa," Adesina said.

Since its establishment, the PHRDG has been a vehicle for Japan to share its expertise and experience in human resource development, empowering Africans to lead the transformation of their societies and economies. The grant has supported a wide range of projects aligned with Japan and the African Development Bank Group’s shared objective of human capital development. Officials said the projects have laid the groundwork for accelerated economic growth in Africa.

In a foreword to the Policy and Human Resource Development Grant at 30 publication, Deputy Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs Daiho Fujii, expressed Japan’s pride in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the PHRDG.

“Japan is leading the international community's efforts to overcome global challenges, particularly those affecting vulnerable populations. Through the PHRDG, we provide technical cooperation to develop the human resources that will drive Africa’s socioeconomic transformation. Our partnership with the African Development Bank Group is key to realizing a more resilient and prosperous Africa.”

As the Policy and Human Resource Development Grant enters its fourth decade, the African Development Bank Group and Japan have expressed eagerness to expand their partnership. With six new projects in the 2024–2025 pipeline, including initiatives in higher education, debt management, and climate-smart agriculture, the trust fund remains a critical tool for delivering impact across Africa, officials said.

Both parties pledged to continue to work hand in hand to unlock the potential of Africa’s human capital, fostering innovation and economic development for generations to come.

Among the most impactful PHRDG-funded initiatives is the Japan-Africa Dream Scholarship Program (JADS), launched in 2017. This program aims to develop Africa’s human capital by offering scholarships to high-achieving African students for master’s studies in fields such as agriculture, development economics, energy, and public health. To date, the program has awarded scholarships to 23 students from 10 African countries, two-thirds of whom are women.

Graduates of the JADS program have gone on to make significant contributions to their home countries.  Alumni include Mary Yeboah Asantewaa from Ghana, who now works at SORA Technology in Accra, leveraging drone technology to control infectious diseases, and Glory Sibale from Malawi, who joined Tokyo’s Taiyo-Yuka recycling company, focusing on sustainable agricultural project management.

As part of his mission to Japan, Adesina also met with Nobumitsu Hayashi, the Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, to expand collaboration in key areas, including agriculture, healthcare, energy access, support for youth entrepreneurs, critical minerals, and regional corridors.

Later Wednesday, Adesina met with the leadership of the Association of African Economic and Development Japan, where both parties discussed potential collaborations for impactful projects. He continued with meetings with Kanetsugu Mike, Chairman of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, and Ken Shibuya, Co-Chairman of the Global South Africa Committee of Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives).