TICAD9 JICA Thematic EventsTICAD 9

Event Details

The Future of Cities in Africa from the Perspective of Youth
August 22, 2025 12:30-14:30(JST)

Date
2025/8/22 (Fri)12:30-14:30（JST）
Field
The future of cities
Venue / Event Format
Yokohama Bay / Hybrid (In-person and Online)
Co-Host

Background

In Africa, where rapid population growth and urbanization are underway, it is projected that by 2030, more than 50% of the population will live in urban areas. As challenges associated with increasing urban populations become more serious, this event aims to explore how cities should contribute to national development and the improvement of people's lives. Through keynote speeches by experts and discussions between African government officials studying in Japan and Japanese graduate students majoring in urban planning, we will consider the future of African cities from the perspective of youth and propose concrete actions toward achieving the SDGs and realizing human security.

Key Questions

  • Rapid Urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Youth
  • Urban Planning
  • Infrastructure

Objective

This event brings together African government officials studying in Japan who are involved in urban development in Africa, and Japanese graduate students specializing in urban planning. Its aim is to collaboratively explore the future of African cities and generate concrete actions, ultimately leading to youth-driven, future-oriented initiatives.
On the day of the event, Professor Oussouby Sacko from Kyoto Seika University will serve as the master of ceremonies. Keynote speeches will be delivered by Mr. Masayuki Yokota, Head of Sub-Regional Hub, Southern Africa, Regional Office for Africa from UN-Habitat and Associate Professor Norihisa Shima from Toyo University, who will delve into the current state and challenges facing African cities.
Following the keynote speeches, student groups will present their ideas on the future of African cities. Experts from Japanese universities will provide commentary on these presentations. Awards will be given to each group for their innovative ideas, and the event will conclude with participating students announcing a Youth Declaration.

Materials

Speakers

Master of Ceremonies
Professor Oussouby Sacko
Kyoto Seika University
Keynote Speakers
Mr. Masayuki Yokota
Head of Sub-Regional Hub, Southern Africa, Regional Office for Africa, UN-Habitat
Associate Professor Norihisa Shima
Toyo University
Commentators
Professor Shinya Hanaoka
Institute of Science Tokyo
Associate Professor Sahori Imoto
Japan Women's University
Presentations
Graduate students from Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Institute of Science Tokyo, Toyo University, Toyohashi University of Technology, Hiroshima University, Yokohama National University, and Waseda University — including both international students from Africa and Japanese students studying urban planning and related fields.