Africa: African Development Bank and Korea's National Information Society Agency Deepen Partnership On Africa's Ai and Digital Transformation

What the report says

The African Development Bank and South Korea’s National Information Society Agency signed a letter of intent in Seoul on Wednesday to expand cooperation on artificial intelligence and digital transformation in Africa. The agreement was signed by Ousmane Fall for the Bank and Yoon-Seok Ko for NIA during the 8th Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference, which focused on AI and digital infrastructure.

According to the report, the framework is meant to support joint initiatives across African Development Bank regional member countries. Areas mentioned for possible collaboration include data governance, AI-ready datasets, digital public infrastructure, and training or technical assistance for public officials and engineers. The institutions also plan to examine ways to support digital infrastructure rollout and use AI to improve public services, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Bank said Africa could see major economic gains from AI if investment in infrastructure, connectivity, electricity, skills and policy support improves. NIA is expected to contribute policy and technical expertise, while the Bank will help identify country priorities and mobilize financing, including through the Korea-financed KOAFEC trust fund. The letter of intent is set for an initial three-year term and reflects broader Korea-Africa technology cooperation; as general background, KOAFEC has long supported development projects and technical assistance across the continent.