The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, together with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), announced on the 23rd that they are leveraging the momentum of the G20 Summit in South Africa to deepen economic cooperation across the African continent. As part of this effort, the two institutions are hosting a series of export-focused business events in eight major African countries between November and December, aiming to boost trade ties and support Korean companies seeking new market opportunities.
The initiative has already drawn significant participation, with around 270 African state-run and leading private corporations joining alongside nearly 120 Korean companies. Events were tailored to each host country and took the form of export consultations, seminars, and partnership meetings. These engagements focused on high-potential sectors such as energy, industrial plants, medical technology, consumer goods, and other rapidly expanding areas of demand within Africa.
One of the major highlights was the Korea–South Africa Business Plaza, held in Johannesburg on November 11–12. A total of 73 African companies representing industries such as infrastructure, materials, and advanced equipment engaged in one-on-one matchmaking consultations with Korean firms. These meetings resulted in several promising outcomes, including one Korean company securing three memorandums of understanding (MOUs) related to the application of satellite-based agricultural technologies in Africa—an area of growing interest due to climate resilience and food-security needs.
In Cairo, Egypt, another multi-day event running from November 5–21 brought Korean companies together with 21 strategic public and private entities. Discussions centered on exploring cooperation in key national projects, infrastructure partnerships, and potential future investments.
KOTRA also noted that Korean consumer products continue to gain strong traction across Africa. In countries such as South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, interest in K-beauty and Korean food products remains high. As a result, these consultations led to 13 new contracts and MOUs, reinforcing Korea’s expanding influence in Africa’s consumer markets.
KOTRA President Kang Kyung-sung described Africa as a vibrant and rapidly growing region, emphasizing that the continent represents a “current growth engine” rather than merely a future opportunity. He added that KOTRA will continue to provide strong follow-up support to ensure that the economic cooperation agenda—covering supply chain stability, project collaboration, and the broader promotion of Korean consumer goods—translates into tangible and mutually beneficial business outcomes.
