The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the National Information Society Agency (NIA) of the Republic of Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption and digital transformation across Africa.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the National Information Society Agency (NIA) of South Korea have signed a strategic letter of intent to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence and digital technology across the African continent.
The agreement was signed in Seoul on the sidelines of the 8th Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Ministerial Conference. Ousmane Fall, Director of Industry and Trade Development at the African Development Bank and Yoon-Seok Ko, Vice-President of the NIA formalized the three-year partnership establishing a structured framework to support digital transitions in AfDB member countries.
Under the agreement, the two organizations will collaborate on critical aspects of digital governance including the establishment of data management frameworks, the creation of AI-ready datasets and the expansion of digital public infrastructure.
To ensure long-term sustainability, the partnership introduces specialized training and technical assistance programs aimed at public sector managers, engineers and policymakers. The capacity-building initiatives are designed to encourage the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence to improve public service delivery, support technological innovation and drive local digital entrepreneurship.
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The collaboration draws on South Korea’s technical expertise in shaping digital policies across 137 countries, combined with the African Development Bank’s role in identifying regional priorities and mobilizing project financing. Funding support will be coordinated partly through the Korea-financed KOAFEC trust fund.
Bank estimates project that artificial intelligence could add up to $1 trillion to Africa’s gross domestic product by 2035. Realizing this economic potential will depend on parallel investments in foundational digital infrastructure, widespread internet connectivity, stable electricity access, targeted skills development and supportive regulatory frameworks across the continent.
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Praise fortune is a tech analyst and journalist based in Nigeria, Her work serves as a vital bridge between complex corporate maneuvers and the everyday reader, breaking down high-stakes financial, regulatory, and technological shifts across the African continent into clear highly readable narratives. With a deep focus on fintech, traditional banking transformation and digital infrastructure, she have become a dedicated analyst of the architects building Africa’s digital economy.
