The African Development Bank Group, in collaboration with Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, has successfully concluded a seminar on project opportunities across Africa.
The event, titled "Exploring Business Opportunities in Africa: African Development Bank Group Project Participation Strategy for Korean Entities," was held in May 2026 as a hybrid event in Abidjan and online. It brought together more than 100 participants representing 70 Korean companies and institutions.
The seminar provided practical guidance on engaging with Bank Group operations across project preparation, procurement, and trust fund cooperation. Bank Group experts presented opportunities in transport, water and sanitation, artificial intelligence, and digital solutions. Sessions also covered corporate, consultant, and project procurement.
Gauthier Bourlard, Senior Director of the Bank Group's Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships Department, said Korean companies and institutions bring technology, experience, and a track record of delivery that align closely with the priorities of African countries.
"The Bank Group's role is to connect those capabilities to the operations we co-design with our regional member countries, supported by clear procurement procedures and partnership mechanisms. The objective is concrete, sustainable partnerships that deliver for African economies," Bourlard said.
The seminar also outlined how the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Trust Fund, known as KOAFEC, financed by the Republic of Korea and managed in partnership with the Bank Group, supports project preparation, knowledge work, technical cooperation, and expanded participation in Bank Group-financed operations.
"Through the KOAFEC Trust Fund, we are helping to build a pipeline of projects ready for commercial engagement while expanding Korean participation, particularly in digital infrastructure, energy, and transport," said Rosine Tedajo, KOAFEC Trust Fund Manager and Senior Resource Mobilisation Officer.
The KOAFEC Trust Fund supports projects such as the Drone-Based Disaster Management Project, a $967,000 initiative launched with the Government of Mozambique and Busan Techno Park, a Korean innovation hub. The project uses drones and artificial intelligence to support search-and-rescue operations, assess infrastructure damage, transmit real-time information to emergency command centres, and monitor high-risk areas.
The seminar followed a February 2026 webinar convened by the Bank Group with the Export-Import Bank of Korea, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency, which drew approximately 270 participants.
The engagements form part of the Bank Group's cooperation with Korean partners ahead of the KOAFEC Ministerial Conference, scheduled to take place in Seoul in September 2026.
