The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have launched the sixth phase of the Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA6) initiative, setting a financing target of $5.5 billion for African economies between 2026 and 2028. The agreement, signed at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, builds on two decades of collaboration under the EPSA framework, which has already channelled $12 billion into Africa since 2005.
EPSA6 marks a significant step up from the previous phase, raising the target by $500 million and expanding priorities beyond power, connectivity, health, agriculture, and nutrition to include resilience against climate shocks and other crises. JICA President, Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, said the growth of the programme reflects the deepening partnership between Japan and Africa, while AfDB Vice President Kevin Kariuki noted its alignment with the Bank’s private sector development strategy.
By mobilising critical resources and blending Japanese and African expertise, EPSA6 is expected to accelerate private investment, strengthen infrastructure, and enhance Africa’s capacity to withstand future shocks.
