{"slug": "korea-eximbank-links-korean-firms-to-african-countries-ai-digital-push", "title": "Korea Eximbank links Korean firms to African countries' AI, digital push", "summary": "The Export-Import Bank of Korea used the 8th Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference, held Wednesday and Thursday, to connect Korean AI and digital companies with African governments, including follow-up talks on Tanzania's Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology Training Institution project approved in August as the EDCF's first AI-related project. Korea Eximbank held bilateral meetings with Botswana Vice President Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe and finance ministers from Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Egypt, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Sierra Leone, and hosted an investment briefing attended by AI startups FuriosaAI and Rebellions, the African Development Bank, and officials from Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana. \"It is Korea Eximbank's role to translate government-to-government cooperation into concrete projects and connect them to Korean companies,\" said Korea Eximbank Chairman and President Hwang Ki-yeon.", "body_md": "KOAFEC meetings connect Korean technology companies with African governments and institutions\n\nThe Export-Import Bank of Korea will step up economic cooperation with African countries while supporting domestic companies seeking to expand into local markets, the policy lender announced Friday.\n\nDuring the 8th Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference held Wednesday and Thursday, Korea Eximbank held bilateral meetings with the Botswana Vice President Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe and finance ministers from Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Egypt, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Sierra Leone.\n\nThis year's conference focused on transformation through artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure in Africa, exploring ways to foster sustainable growth and expand economic cooperation.\n\nSenior officials from African countries shared their respective development priorities and needs. Korea Eximbank discussed ways to expand economic cooperation through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund and facilitate the participation of Korean companies in local projects.\n\nFollow-up measures for Tanzania's Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology Training Institution project, approved in August as the EDCF's first AI-related project, were also discussed.\n\nOn Thursday, Korea Eximbank also arranged an investment briefing to connect Korean companies with African governments and institutions, introducing promising local projects and investment opportunities.\n\nOfficials from the African Development Bank, government officials of Kenya and Tanzania, representatives involved in investment projects in Ghana, and Korean companies, including AI startups FuriosaAI and Rebellions, attended the event.\n\n\"The KOAFEC meeting has further broadened economic cooperation with Africa into areas of strategic importance to the Korean government's economic strategy, including AI and digital technologies, culture and supply chains,\" Korea Eximbank Chairman and President Hwang Ki-yeon said.\n\n\"It is Korea Eximbank's role to translate government-to-government cooperation into concrete projects and connect them to Korean companies.\"\n\nKOAFEC was launched in 2006 as a platform to strengthen economic and development cooperation between Korea and Africa. It is jointly hosted by Korea's Finance Ministry, Korea Eximbank and the African Development Bank.\n\nsilverstar@heraldcorp.com", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/korea-eximbank-links-korean-firms-to-african-countries-ai-digital-push", "canonical_source": "https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10870716", "published_at": "2026-09-11 06:41:54+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-09-11 06:57:21.025969+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-policy", "ai-startups", "ai-infrastructure"], "entities": ["Export-Import Bank of Korea", "Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference", "Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe", "Tanzania", "FuriosaAI", "Rebellions", "African Development Bank", "Hwang Ki-yeon"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/korea-eximbank-links-korean-firms-to-african-countries-ai-digital-push", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/korea-eximbank-links-korean-firms-to-african-countries-ai-digital-push.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/korea-eximbank-links-korean-firms-to-african-countries-ai-digital-push.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/korea-eximbank-links-korean-firms-to-african-countries-ai-digital-push.jsonld"}}