KOAFEC 2026: 45 African delegations gathered in Seoul around AI and digital technology

The conference is jointly organized by the South Korean government, the Export-Import Bank of Korea, and the African Development Bank. This edition is themed around artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure as drivers of economic transformation in Africa.

The proceedings bring together African public officials, financial institutions, and economic actors to discuss topics ranging from infrastructure financing to digital transformation, including innovation, private investments, and industrial cooperation.

The participants must notably work on a joint declaration and an action plan covering the period 2027-2028. The stated objective is to translate the ministerial discussions into projects and cooperation mechanisms capable of supporting the development priorities of African countries.

The KOAFEC, launched in the mid-2000s, is one of the main frameworks for economic dialogue between South Korea and Africa. It combines political consultation, development financing, technical cooperation, and private sector mobilization.

AI and Digital Technology at the Heart of Discussions

The focus on artificial intelligence and digital infrastructures reflects the growing importance of these issues in the continent’s development strategies. The needs concern data centers and high-speed networks as well as digital public services, education, health, agriculture, and businesses’ access to advanced technologies. This priority comes at a time when new funding is already being mobilized to strengthen African digital infrastructures.

South Korea, for its part, is seeking to deepen its economic relations with Africa in a context of increased competition over markets, supply chains, and technologies. Seoul had already announced in 2024 14 billion dollars in investments intended for Africa on the occasion of the first Korea-Africa summit.

For African countries, the challenge will notably be to convert announcements into sustainable investments, skills transfers, and local capacities. The discussions in Seoul must therefore clarify the cooperation priorities for the next two years and the projects likely to receive financial or technical support.