๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐: The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Hon. Sering Modou Njie, participated in the 2026 KoreaโAfrica Business Forum held on 2 June 2026 in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on the sidelines of the 2026 KoreaโAfrica Foreign Ministersโ Meeting.
Hon. Njie participated as a panelist during Session III on โCritical Minerals and Energy Cooperation for KoreaโAfrica Co-Prosperity,โ where he joined fellow African ministers and senior representatives in discussions on strengthening strategic partnerships between Africa and Korea in the areas of energy, industrial development, technology transfer, and sustainable investment.
In his intervention, Minister Njie emphasized that Africaโs vast critical mineral resources and growing energy potential present significant opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation with the Republic of Korea. He noted that Africa seeks partnerships that go beyond the traditional model of extracting and exporting raw materials, and instead promote industrialization, value addition, technology transfer, infrastructure development, and job creation.
The Minister highlighted The Gambiaโs commitment to advancing renewable energy development, improving energy access, and creating an enabling environment for green investment and sustainable economic growth. He identified renewable energy infrastructure, particularly solar energy, capacity building, technical training, green technology transfer, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and digital connectivity as key areas for enhanced cooperation between The Gambia and the Republic of Korea.
Hon. Njie further outlined the significant strides made by The Gambia under the leadership of His Excellency President Adama Barrow in transforming the countryโs energy sector through investments in renewable energy, rural electrification, and energy infrastructure. He noted that these efforts have contributed to expanding access to electricity, improving energy security, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and strengthening climate resilience.
The Minister underscored that successful KoreaโAfrica cooperation in critical minerals and energy should be anchored on the principles of mutual benefit, shared prosperity, local value addition, sustainable and responsible practices, technology and knowledge transfer, and investments in infrastructure and connectivity. He stressed that such cooperation should focus not only on resources, but also on transformation, innovation, sustainability, and human development.
The Forum provided an important platform for strengthening dialogue between African countries and the Republic of Korea and for exploring new opportunities to advance sustainable economic cooperation and shared prosperity.
