The 8th Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Ministerial Conference opened on Wednesday in Seoul, with shared ambitions to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital revolution to accelerate the continent's transformation.
Held under the theme "Harnessing artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure for Africa's transformation," the conference brought together some 800 participants, including representatives from 45 African countries. This year's conference, taking place from 8 to 11 September, also marks the 20th anniversary of KOAFEC, launched in 2006 to promote high-level economic dialogue and identify concrete development projects between Korea and Africa.
Opening the conference, Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook urged both sides to turn the artificial intelligence revolution into an opportunity for shared prosperity. She emphasised that Africa, "the world's youngest and most dynamic continent", possesses immense potential from its booming markets, strategic resources and the creativity of its young people.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy, Koo Yun-cheol, presented a new roadmap built around three priorities: developing AI infrastructure, rolling out AI solutions in productive sectors, and strengthening digital skills. At the heart of this strategy, the 'Korean Artificial Intelligence Package' or 'K-AI Package,' is a programme combining data centres, energy infrastructure, digital connectivity and artificial intelligence applications in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, energy and transport.
Koo said Korea will support countries in developing AI in line with their own priorities.
African Development Bank Group President Dr Sidi Ould Tah highlighted the scale of the opportunities AI offers the continent.
"Artificial intelligence could contribute as much as $1 trillion to Africa's GDP by 2035, provided adequate investment is made," he said.
He said AI growth depends on building a robust ecosystem that combines reliable energy, affordable connectivity, data infrastructure, skills, and appropriate regulatory frameworks.
"AI does not develop on the basis of aspirations alone. It depends on a comprehensive ecosystem," Dr Ould Tah said, noting that Africa currently accounts for less than 2 percent of global data centre capacity.
President Ould Tah emphasised the need for Africa to take ownership of emerging technologies:
"Africa must not simply consume imported technologies. It must have the capacity to build, govern, adapt and deploy its own solutions."
He called for action on three fronts:
"Firstly, we must lay the essential foundations; secondly, we must focus on practical, high-impact applications; and thirdly, we must regulate innovation responsibly."
South Korea commits to concrete actions
Among the first initiatives announced by South Korea are the establishment of a training institute for advanced technologies in Tanzania to develop specialists in artificial intelligence, robotics and data analysis, and a 'K-AI Cloud Voucher' programme, which will give African start-ups access to cloud infrastructure and technology.
Two ministerial round-table discussions followed the opening ceremony, giving Korean and African ministers an opportunity to outline national AI policies, priorities, funding needs, and partnerships. Solomon Mugera, Director of Communications and External Relations at the African Development Bank Group, moderated both sessions.
Korea thus presented a comprehensive national policy accompanied by action plans, making it one of the world's pioneers in the field of artificial intelligence. From agriculture to healthcare, from education and training to transport, AI affects all sectors, and people are encouraged to use it in their daily lives. The East Asian country intends to provide its expertise, funding and capacity-building support to African countries that wish to benefit from it, whilst leaving the door open for countries on the continent to cooperate with other partners to develop the artificial intelligence sector.
"The Korean government has decided to support countries that wish to develop AI in line with their own priorities," said Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol.
Agreements were signed with several multilateral development banks and some African countries to invest in or develop the AI sector.
African delegates welcomed Korea's support while highlighting persistent challenges they face: a lack of infrastructure, data centres and electricity, among other things.
"Eighty percent of data in Africa is hosted abroad, and Africa pays dearly for this," said Milagrosa Obono Angüe, Equatorial Guinea's Deputy Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning.
The day ended with a press conference at which Dr Ould Tah and Deputy Prime Minister Koo discussed the Korea-Africa partnership.
Delegates adopted a Joint Declaration and an Action Plan, reaffirming their commitment to deepen cooperation between Africa and the Republic of Korea in industrialisation, education, health, and agriculture through digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Both sides said the aim is to transform political dialogue into concrete projects that accelerate inclusive, sustainable growth by harnessing comparative advantages, so that Africa becomes an 'unavoidable' force in global AI.
