South Korea has committed to play a meaningful role in Africa's development, tapping into its strengths in high-tech industries and innovative technology.

Kyungho Choo, the country's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, emphasised the role that Korea and Africa must play yesterday at the seventh Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) ministerial conference in Busan, Korea's second-largest city.

The African Development Bank Group and South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance are co-hosting the three-day conference under the theme ‘Embracing a Sustainable Future: Just Energy Transition and Agricultural Transformation in Africa’.

“Together, our two worlds can become the most solid rock of solidarity,” Choo told the meeting.

South Korea's primary areas of help to Africa, according to Choo, include agriculture, bio-health, climate change, and energy transformation.

He said South Korea backed energy projects for Africa's long-term development in collaboration with the African Development Bank. "We are also working to support Africa's growth, as outlined in the African Development Bank's high five development priorities," Choo said.

In his opening remarks, African Development Bank Group president Akinwumi Adesina urged delegates to use the conference to rally support for several goals, including achieving universal energy access in Africa, advancing a just energy transition, and transforming the African continent into the world's breadbasket.

Adesina said the KOAFEC conference was an ideal chance to discuss progress on Korea-Africa relations, development issues and prospects in Africa, and an opportunity for all parties to continue working together to promote Africa's growth and development.