African countries needing to fill the gap created by a lack of Russian and Ukrainian food imports must look outside the typical sphere of economic aid, says UN Assistant Secretary General Ahunna Eziakonwa after a five-day mission to Japan.
Eziakonwa, also the UN Development Programme regional director for Africa, spoke of the unique role government and private sector partners in Japan could play in support of African countries.
“Reinforced multilateralism and strong partnerships, including with Japanese government entities and private sector, will be decisive in supporting African countries’ aptitude to respond to the new economic shocks caused by the war in Ukraine,” she said.
Japan has played a strategic role to increase food security on the African continent, and aims to do more.
