Kenya taps Korea to broaden digital ties

By Maria Macharia, Kenya Correspondent
Johannesburg, 27 Aug 2025
At the meeting with Hyundai, the vehicle manufacturer's staff gave an appealing story of their growth.
At the meeting with Hyundai, the vehicle manufacturer's staff gave an appealing story of their growth.

Kenya is strengthening ties with South Korea in an effort to accelerate the East African country's digital transformation.

Kenya's principal secretary for the State Department of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Digital Economy, John Tanui, recently visited the Asian giant to enhance relations.

One of the important meetings on his agenda was with the Korea Export-Import Bank, which was led by Um-Sung Yong, executive and head of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund's Operations Group.

The team also visited the car maker Hyundai.

The teams discussed the status of landmark projects such as the Digital Media City in Konza Technopolis, which is linked to Kenya's creative economy.

They agreed on joint activities such as long-term academic relationships between Kenya's Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Korea's KAIST, the completion of funding frameworks for ongoing initiatives, and organised policy dialogue to coordinate and prioritise future collaboration.

"This engagement reaffirms our shared commitment to transform strategic discussions into concrete outcomes, anchoring Kenya's development priorities while deepening Kenya-Korea ties," Tanui said during the visit.

Tanui was also welcomed in the capital city by a delegation from the Korea-Africa Foundation, led by its president, Kim Young-chae.

The delegates discussed the potential for Kenya-KAIST, which was developed at Konza Technopolis with Korean government support, to serve as a hub for research, innovation, and talent development.

"This institution stands as a symbol of our strong partnership and a gateway to future collaboration in science, technology and entrepreneurship," Tanui said of the Korea-Africa Foundation.

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