The global race to tap into resource-rich Africa is heating up, and Japan will seek to make further inroads at a major conference in Tunisia.

The Tokyo International Conference on African Development kicks off on Saturday. The Japanese government co-hosts the event with the United Nations, World Bank and African Union Commission.

This is the eighth session since it began in 1993.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who has contracted the coronavirus, will appear online.

He is expected to announce a series of initiatives, such as investment in renewable energies and support for human resources development in the agriculture and health industries.

The world's big powers are well aware of Africa's vast potential.

China has been deepening ties with nations on the continent through infrastructure projects and massive investments under the Belt and Road initiative.

The United States earlier this month laid out its Sub-Saharan Africa strategy. Washington is hosting leaders from the continent in December in an effort to strengthen relations.

And Russia is seeking to gain influence over Africa through resource development projects and arms exports.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited four nations on the continent last month, including Uganda. He praised the government for taking what he called a "balanced position" on the situation in Ukraine.

Lavrov also expressed Russia's readiness to sell oil to the country.

The UN estimates that Africa will account for a quarter of the global population by 2050.