The ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development wrapped up three days of discussions on Friday in the port city of Yokohama, adopting a joint declaration pledging cooperation in a wide range of fields.

In recent years, however, Japan's investment in Africa has grown only modestly, prompting foreign affairs experts to urge the government to cultivate more people familiar with both sides who can serve as a bridge.

Japan's cooperation with Africa has gradually shifted from aid to investment since the launch of the TICAD talks in 1993.

"Africa's influence in the international community has grown," Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in a closing speech at TICAD, adding that Japan and Africa should "co-create solutions" to social and economic challenges as partners.

Despite lingering disadvantages such as underdeveloped legal systems and political uncertainty, Africa has attracted growing attention as a business destination.

Africa's population is projected to grow from about 1.5 billion to 2.5 billion by 2050, and its economic growth rate is expected to outpace the global average in the coming years.

Akira Igata, a project lecturer at the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, said the continent's abundant rare earths and other natural resources make it vital to economic security.

Japan depends heavily on China for rare earth imports, and with bilateral ties often strained, African nations could provide an "alternative" for Tokyo, Igata said.

At the TICAD meeting, the Japanese government announced the "Nacala Corridor" project, linking Zambia, a major copper ore producer in central Africa, to the port of Nacala in Mozambique on the continent's east coast.

Igata said the prices of African natural resources tend to be volatile due to vulnerable infrastructure, such as electricity, making business unpredictable.

"For Japan, diversifying its crucial mineral supply chains benefits its economic security, so assisting the development of African infrastructure will be helpful," Igata said.

China has also expanded its influence in the resource-rich continent by hosting a forum similar to Japan's TICAD.

At last year's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, President Xi Jinping vowed to provide about $50 billion in financial support to Africa over three years, compared with Japan's 2022 TICAD pledge of $30 billion over the same period.

Ishiba did not mention the total amount of Japan's financial assistance for Africa this time.

China, meanwhile, has been criticized for its alleged "debt-trap diplomacy," using loans as leverage to gain concessions under the Belt and Road global infrastructure program, and for ignoring environmental and human rights concerns in development projects.

The United States, another investor in Africa, has imposed high tariffs on many countries around the world under President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House for his nonconsecutive second term in January.

Trump has also decided to dismantle the US Agency for International Development, clouding Africa's economic outlook.

Shinichi Takeuchi, director of the African Studies Center at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, said it is more significant than ever for Japan to demonstrate its commitment to Africa as "a stable partner."

But experts say Japan's investment in Africa remains sluggish.

According to Bank of Japan data, the nation's annual outward direct investment in Africa rose slightly from 158 billion yen ($1.1 billion) in 2014 to 171 billion yen in 2024, while the global figure jumped from about 14 trillion yen to 31 trillion yen.

Japan External Trade Organization data showed the Asian country's direct investment balance in Africa at the end of 2022 was far lower than that of Britain, France, China and even Singapore.

Takeuchi said people well versed in Japanese culture who can advise companies on doing business in Africa are needed to boost investment, but their numbers remain limited.

In his opening speech at the TICAD gathering, Ishiba vowed to help train 30,000 artificial intelligence specialists in Africa and 300,000 personnel, including 35,000 in health care.

Takeuchi acknowledged that such measures are meaningful but said, "We should not forget that people who can bridge Japan and Africa are still needed" if the government hopes more domestic firms will expand into the promising continent.