A high-level trade exhibition featuring representatives from the African Development Bank Group, the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Korea, and the Export-Import Bank of Korea has concluded its latest stakeholder drive. The joint engagement focused heavily on laying the groundwork for the upcoming 8th Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Ministerial Conference, scheduled to take place in Seoul from September 8 to 11, 2026. Convening under the theme “Harnessing AI and Digital Infrastructure for Africa’s Transformation,” the international summit will gather African state delegations, private equity funds, and multilateral development institutions to ratify the upcoming 2027–2028 KOAFEC Action Plan.
The cooperation framework coordinates bilateral development and technology transfers through three primary channels:
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The KOAFEC Trust Fund: The joint exhibition highlighted the active role of the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Trust Fund. The financial vehicle underwrites early-stage project preparations, provides targeted technical assistance, facilitates multi-national knowledge sharing, and backs strategic cross-border infrastructure initiatives.
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Targeted Sector Mobilization: Delegations from African member nations analyzed prospective public-private partnerships (PPPs) with South Korean industrial leaders. The core investment pipeline targets critical projects in artificial intelligence, national digital transformation, alternative energy grids, transit corridors, and technical capacity-building programs.
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Connecting Technical Expertise: Gauthier Bourlard, Senior Director of the Bank Group’s Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships Department, emphasized the practical value of the platform. He noted that KOAFEC serves as a vital bridge connecting South Korean industrial technology with the immediate sustainable development priorities of African economies, establishing long-term commercial opportunities.
