AfCFTA Secretary-General calls for deeper Korea–Africa trade and investment partnerships
Date: 2026-06-02
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The Secretary-General of the
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene,
has called for stronger trade and investment ties between Africa and the
Republic of Korea, highlighting growing opportunities across the continent's
expanding integrated market.
Speaking at the opening of
the 2026 Korea–Africa Business Forum, Mene said Africa–Korea relations are
evolving beyond traditional development cooperation into a strategic
partnership centered on trade, investment, industrialisation and innovation.
He noted that the implementation of the AfCFTA is creating significant opportunities in key sectors including automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals beneficiation and digital trade. According to him, Africa's integrated market of 1.4 billion people and the growth of regional value chains offer attractive prospects for Korean businesses seeking to expand their global footprint.
Mene emphasized that the
AfCFTA Protocols on Investment and Digital Trade are helping to create a more
predictable and transparent business environment by improving market access and
providing greater certainty for investors.
He further stressed the
importance of strengthening business-to-business partnerships and increasing
private sector participation to unlock the full potential of Africa–Korea
economic cooperation.
The AfCFTA Secretary-General
reaffirmed Africa's commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships
with Korea, stating that enhanced collaboration can support industrialisation,
create employment opportunities and drive sustainable economic growth across
both regions.
The Korea–Africa Business
Forum forms part of broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation and promote
investment, innovation and trade between African countries and the Republic of
Korea.
