Remarks made by H.E. Mr. ESTIFANOS Afeworki, Ambassador of the State ofEritrea to Japan and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps on the Tokyo
International Conference on “New Visions of Africa” Sophia University
Tokyo May 19th 2018:
H.E. Mr. Giorgio Starace (Ambassador of Italy)
Professor Alberto Quattruccci (Comunita di Saint’Edigio)
Honorable members of the Diet present
Dear participants
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a great honor for me to address today, on behalf of the African DiplomaticCorps (ADC) and myself as Ambassador of the State of Eritrea to Japan, theTokyo International Conference on “New Vision of Africa”. Therefore, pleaseallow me also, on the onset of my remark, to express my deep felt gratitude tothe invitation extended by the organizers of this conference to share our views
and opinions during this occasion.
Many African countries used to export food during the 1960th. The average GDP
per capita of African countries was higher than the Asian countries from 1960th
to the mid 1970th. Currently many African countries are importing food, and GDP
per capita in Africa is lower than in Asia. Developing Asian, Eastern European, ex
USSR states, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have gained importanceas recipients of FDI in the past three decades. Africa’s current share in global FDI
still remains much lower than it used to be in 1970s and early 1980s – i.e. at lessthan 5%. In Africa, rising corporate profit particularly in oil, gas and minerals is
helping boast FDI flow. Manufacturing activities have not featured
predominately during the process.
The super power rivalries and disproportional proxy military interventions in
the continent have put-off FDI from serving development strategies of Africaduring the cold war. The opportunities lost in strategic partnership between
African countries and developed countries are still lingering and as a resultclearly not yet in a robust road of recovery and relationships.
Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD) wasestablished by Japan to serve Africa’s long-term development strategy bymobilizing global focused attention in 1993. But shaking geo-political landscapeand breakups that ensued following the end of the cold war were not at all
conducive to this process. As a result, different multilayered and multipronged
global initiatives have engulfed the continent of Africa from all directions. As aresult, many policy challenges are currently facing the continent and clearly it isindeed a daunting period for our continent. Hence, we believe that:
1. There is a critical need to enhance the continued improvement of theongoing co-operation with Africa by targeting integration of the continent,

1common market, and the African Union within the framework of the UN
and other international organizations - including but not excluding theinternational agenda of the UN Reform. Continued marginalization ofAfrica from the permanent seat of the UNSC is clearly not beneficial toglobal peace and prosperity. Africa being the last frontier of globalization,
it is important for the continent to be part and parcel of all ways andmeans of the international efforts to maintain peace, stability and ensure
prosperity It is time to constructively engage Africa in this importantendeavor of our planet. This effort shall definitely contribute for themutual strategic partnerships to grow sustainably between Japan, Europe,Asia, the rest of the world and Africa. It is obviously very clear indeed thatthe only available means to reach this destination is through the rule ofwisdom, science and international law.
2. Ensuring food security is one of the top priorities and the only
cornerstone for an inclusive sustainable economic growth and poverty
eradication in Africa. Improved rangeland management system andappropriate infrastructure must be rolled out on the ground to offset andimprove the traditional pastoral system in the continent. Industrial andartisanal fisheries must improve their inputs. Water security must beenhanced. Mitigation programs to counter the climate change impact area must. FDI can play a decisive role in expanding production – packing –transportation and market access possibilities – without which theinfrastructural development of the African countries remains to be only adream. Trade barriers that curtail African products to reach thedeveloped economies must be targeted by the Tokyo International
Conference “New Vision of Africa” to make a record impact in theEuropean Union as well as in Japan. African continent must not export
uranium, diamond or gold or other human or natural resources to feed its
own people.
3. FDI flow serving mutual strategic interest of Europe, Japan based on
Africa’s long term development strategy (2050) must get focused
attention from international partners and must be equipped
appropriately with political will and an institutional base like the African
Development Bank (AfDB) and other African national and regional banks
to serve the purpose of the construction of the main blood stream of theAfrican economy: i.e. infrastructure, industries, governance, education,
research and services, as core areas of cooperation, which will in turnserve the mutual trade and investment opportunities available in thecontinent and beyond.
4. Due to various reasons massive displacement of population fromAfrica to Europe has been witnessed in the last fifty years. Thispopulation is the natural bridge and means for establishing many
mutually agreed programs with Europe and Japan. Africa is currently
looking forward to learn from the experience and benefit from the Africa
Business Education (ABE) Initiative of Japan. But this kind of critical massof skilled and educated people is already there in Europe. The organizers

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of this conference must be cognizant of this potential. Hence theparticipation of the diaspora population of Africa has a critical role to playin the process of the enhancement and implementation of the FDI flow tothe bright future of different economic development zones in thecontinent.
Last but not least, I am confident that these important event and deliberations
will help in constructing new visions and coordination to make Africa one of theeconomic, social, scientific, technological and cultural destinations of Europe andJapan.
Please be rest assured that the African Diplomatic Corps here in Tokyo willcontinue to engage constructively with the organizers and the outcome of thisconference. Africa offers location, resources and huge business opportunity ties
to Europe and Japan. The question in front of all us now is: can Europe/Italy andJapan join hands with Africa to ensure prosperity and cooperation? Can Japanand Europe/Italy public and private sector participate in the eminent economic
boom of Africa through ODA, equity or loan arrangements in the comingdecades?
Wishing you all, success in your deliberations.
Thank you again,3