Empowering Innovation: Future Africa’s Role in the Africa-Asia Partnership
Future Africa, the University of Pretoria’s initiative for transformative research and collaboration, will play a crucial role in a new partnership involving the University of Pretoria (UP), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the University of Tokyo. This agreement was officially signed on November 14, 2025, with UP represented by Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Francis Petersen. The partnership benefits from financial support from the Government of Japan through the Japan Trust Fund administered by the AfDB.
Enhancing Africa-Asia Cooperation
The primary goal of this initiative is to bolster cooperation between Africa and Asia in areas like innovation, sustainable industrialization, and leadership development. It emphasizes the importance of building the necessary skills, networks, and institutional capacities to promote inter-regional public-private partnerships. This focus will particularly address sectors including agribusiness, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and emerging technologies.
Collaboration and Implementation
Future Africa, in tandem with the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy, will spearhead the program’s implementation. As a collaborative platform that bridges the sciences with government, business, and society, Future Africa will facilitate activities that support knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and capacity development across various regions.
Continuing the TICAD Legacy
This partnership builds on the outcomes of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), which took place in Yokohama in August 2025. TICAD 9 highlighted the vital opportunities for deeper cooperation between Africa and Asia, addressing technological development, digital transformation, innovation ecosystems, youth employment, infrastructure development, and sustainable economic growth. The new program aligns with these priorities, promoting research, networking capabilities, SME growth, and youth entrepreneurship.
A Commitment to Address Societal Challenges
Future Africa’s role reinforces UP’s commitment to tackling pressing societal challenges such as unemployment, climate change, biodiversity loss, and economic insecurity. This initiative is integral to UP’s broader engagement at the intersection of transdisciplinary research, innovation, and societal involvement.
What do you think about the potential impact of this partnership on sustainable development in Africa and Asia?
