South Korea Forges Forward with African Allies

Nearly 50 agreements were made during South Korea's first summit with leaders from 48 African countries, focusing on areas like mining, energy, and manufacturing. South Korea aims to expand its trade and investment footprint in Africa, pledging $10 billion in development aid and $14 billion in export financing.

Nearly 50 deals and agreements have been signed during South Korea's first summit with leaders from 48 African countries to cooperate in areas such as mining, energy and manufacturing, South Korea's industry ministry said on Wednesday. Hyosung Corp, a South Korean conglomerate, signed a contract to supply electric transformers to Mozambique worth $30 million, the ministry said in a statement.

The industry ministry also signed agreements to cooperate on critical minerals with Madagascar and Tanzania in order to secure supplies for industries such as batteries, it said. The 47 agreements with 23 African countries were made during the summit as Asia's fourth-largest economy seeks to tap the minerals and the vast export market in Africa.

"Despite its enormous potential, Africa still accounts for only 1-2% of South Korea's trade and investment..," South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol told a gathering of about 200 political and industry leaders from African countries and South Korea at a business summit on Wednesday. "My hope is that mutually beneficial resource cooperation will be expanded," Yoon said.

Yoon pledged on Tuesday that South Korea would increase development aid for Africa to $10 billion over the next six years, and said will offer $14 billion in export financing to promote trade and investment for South Korean companies in Africa.