#Japan #AI Education #Yokohama #Okayama University #TICAD9

The Role of AI in Advancing Higher Education in Africa

The 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) was held from August 20-22, 2025, at PACIFICO Yokohama, featuring discussions led by the Japanese government in collaboration with various international organizations, including the United Nations, UNDP, World Bank, and the African Union Commission. This pivotal event gathered leaders from approximately 50 African nations to explore development opportunities and challenges across the continent.

One of the significant thematic side events at TICAD9 was organized by the United Nations University (UNU) titled "Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education in Africa: Advancing Innovation for Sustainable Progress." The session took place on August 20 and featured a keynote address from Atsufumi Yokoi, Vice President of Okayama University and a certified UNESCO Chairholder. Yokoi's participation underscored the university's commitment to the ethical and inclusive advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).

The event was moderated by Hanaan Fadloun, the wife of the Egyptian Ambassador to Japan, who is also an AI expert. The panel included notable figures such as Tsilizi Marwala, the President of the UNU, Amr Adly, President of the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), and Philip Osano, Chair of the UNU Institute for Sustainability. The opening remarks were delivered by Marwala, followed by a video message from Stefania Giannini, the Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO, emphasizing the global significance of AI in education.

In his keynote, Yokoi highlighted UNESCO's ongoing efforts to establish globally accepted guidelines for ethical AI practices, echoing the organization's longstanding warnings that "AI is not culturally neutral." This matter extends beyond mere technology; it embodies issues of digital sovereignty and cultural justice. Yokoi underscored the need for the development of language technologies that are driven by Africans, for Africans — a motion that advocates collaboration and support in creating these vital tools.

He articulated how the relevance of higher education institutions is increasingly vital in this landscape, stressing the importance of partnerships between Japanese and African universities along with human resource development efforts.

In the subsequent panel discussion, various topics emerged concerning the opportunities and challenges of implementing AI in African universities, along with strategies to ensure equitable access to AI-driven learning tools. The conversation also included policy recommendations that support both national development priorities and global sustainability efforts.

Okayama University remains committed to its role as a UNESCO Chair institution promoting Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Their ongoing initiatives under the banner of "Okayama ESD" aim to propel this concept from the local level up to the global community while also contributing to the evolution of higher education through AI. The university invites stakeholders to continue following its endeavors as a research institution dedicated to sustainable development.

The event concluded with a photo opportunity and networking, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that TICAD9 seeks to nurture. As Okayama University consolidates its approach to sustainable education, the anticipation grows for its contributions to both the regional and global academic landscapes.