South Korea and Africa partner to launch AI hub

South Korea and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have established a partnership to create an artificial intelligence hub aimed at strengthening Africa's digital ecosystems. During the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (Koafec) summit in Seoul, several agreements were signed to facilitate this cooperation.

According to AfDB Acting President Ousmane Fall, the agreements include a memorandum of understanding for project financing and government program preparation, as well as a letter of intent focused on artificial intelligence and digital sectors. The proposed AI hub is intended to centralize resources, technical expertise, training, and computing infrastructure to provide more coherent impact on African economic development.

This technological partnership serves dual strategic interests. For Africa, it provides a framework for building digital skills and infrastructure. For South Korea, a global leader in semiconductors and consumer electronics, the cooperation offers a pathway to secure critical raw materials, such as cobalt and lithium, which are essential for its high-tech industries.