Overview
- Delegations from 50 African countries and four regional organizations met in Seoul and on Monday adopted a joint statement to deepen cooperation on trade, investment, supply chains and critical minerals.
- The joint statement calls for practical steps such as a Korea‑Africa Business Forum, a second Critical Minerals Dialogue and a proposed Korea‑Africa Summit in 2029 to turn diplomatic pledges into projects.
- Ministers agreed to expand peace and security cooperation through defense‑industry ties, memorandums of understanding, wider military education programs and provision of decommissioned Korean equipment.
- Several African ministers urged a shift from aid to industrial partnership that emphasizes technology transfer, local processing and logistics so Korean firms can diversify production and use African markets as strategic gateways.
- The push reflects Seoul’s strategic response to recent global disruptions in trade routes and energy supplies and aims to link Korea’s technology and governance experience with Africa’s resources and ports to build resilient, mutually beneficial supply chains.