Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has assured Kenya and Africa at large that they are determined to ensure that the continent economy grows tremendously. Speaking during a press conference at State House, the Japan Prime Minister said that his country is determined to ensure that Africa becomes an industrialized continent and to help in solving the employment crisis, “My country is working hand in hand with African states to ensure that they become industrialized ,” said Abe.
He said agriculture is a key sector in determining the economic growth of any state and that Japan is ready to partner with African countries to ensure that food security is stable, “Japan has agricultural personnel who are ready to provide skills to farmers in Africa and this will improve food production in Africa,” he said.
He also said he is aware of the negative impact of industries especially when it comes to environmental management and he assured African countries that they will discuss mechanisms to be put in place to ensure that industries don’t contribute to the massive pollution of the environment in Africa. “Industries provide employment but also they lead to environmental hazards and we will discuss measures to mitigate the problems that are associated with industrialization as a whole,” said Shinzo.
He acknowledged Kenya for being awarded the opportunity to hold the TICAD summit for the first time in Africa, outside Japan, and thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for hosting him.
While speaking in the same event President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the countries will not only strengthen ties with Japan but also with other African states “this summit will not only unite Kenya with Japan but with other African countries,” he added that the summit will include youths from all over Africa, giving them a platform to learn from each other.