Japan-Africa economic summit ends

By Andrew Wasike and Magdalene Mukami

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Japan has signed 73 agreements on trade with African states during a two-day development conference, the Kenyan government said Sunday.

The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) summit was held for the first time away from Japan when it was hosted in Kenyan capital Nairobi at the weekend.

In a news conference with President Uhuru Kenyatta at the State House, Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe also announced a $9.8 million fund for social development.

“I wish to thank Prime Minister Abe for his for extending a grant of 1 billion yen for economic and social development, including building food security and sustainable agriculture as well as strengthening our health systems,” Kenyatta said.

He said Japan had also vowed to aid Kenya in tackling terrorism.

“Japan will grow together with Kenya for social-economic development,” Abe said. “Aside from the grant aid to Kenya, we will strongly promote trade and investment between our countries.”

Japan has pledged to commit $30 billion in public and private support for infrastructure development, education and healthcare expansion in Africa.