Korea-Africa Foundation, AfDB Hold High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals

On Tuesday, September 8, the "Korea-Africa High-Level Dialogue on Investment, Critical Minerals and Sustainable Value Chains" was held, co-hosted by the Korea-Africa Foundation and the Asia Representative Office of the African Development Bank (AfDB), and co-organized by the South African Chamber of Commerce in Korea (SAFCHAM Korea) and D&A LLC (Daerok Aju Law Firm).

The roundtable was organized to explore practical investment cooperation and project linkage opportunities between leading Korean companies and AfDB?the largest multilateral development bank on the African continent?in the fields of critical minerals, energy, and sustainable infrastructure, as Africa emerges as a key hub in global supply chains.

The event was attended by Foundation Chairperson Kim Young-chae and AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah, along with senior executives and leadership from major public institutions including the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE), the Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation (KIND), the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation (KOMIR), and the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), as well as leaders from key technology and industry companies including Naver, Alice, Rebellions, POSCO International, and Byucksan Power.

Notably, the closed-door roundtable featured a detailed exchange on specific project pipelines in Africa, along with in-depth discussions on the financial support and institutional cooperation needed to accelerate Korean companies' market entry and investment in Africa.

Korea-Africa Foundation Chairperson Kim Young-chae stated, "At a time when Africa is rapidly emerging as a global hub for critical minerals and eco-friendly infrastructure, strategic cooperation between AfDB and Korean companies with excellent technological capabilities is deeply meaningful." She added, "I hope today's discussions will serve as a solid foundation for Korean companies' entry into the African market and the building of sustainable partnerships, and the Foundation will continue to do its utmost to serve as a bridge for our companies' expansion into Africa."

▲ Group photo from the Korea-AfDB High-Level Business Roundtable

▲ Foundation Chairperson and AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah