African integration in smooth progress

The African continent is well on its way toward integration, said Nigeria’s top envoy to Korea, Desmond Akawor.

In an interview with The Korea Times in his Itaewon Office on the occasion of Africa Day, Akawor, who is the acting dean of the African diplomatic community in Seoul, said, “Some are not developing so fast, but a lot has been achieved.”

Africa Day celebrates the establishment of the Organization of Africa Unity on May 23, 1966. The African Union replaced this in 2002.

“They are almost getting to the point of having zero borders in terms of the movement of goods,” he said. Also, “in West Africa, a common currency is coming into effect in 2015.”

Last weekend, 17 African embassies in Seoul organized a reception and exhibited artifacts, cuisine and souvenirs in Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul, to celebrate the anniversary.

Although the progress of economic integration is the subject of many disputes, few disagree that Africa is transforming.

Economically speaking, the continent has annual growth of 5 percent. ­In countries such as Angola it is close to 10 percent ― due to exports of diamonds, petroleum and iron. Speaking about relations with Korea, Ambassador Akawor who has been in Korea almost five years now, left no doubts regarding Korea’s objectives shown in its relations with African nations.

“What we want is genuine partnership,” meaning an exchange of natural resources for a transfer of skills. He expresses dissatisfaction with the work of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Africa.

“There’s no point in giving antibiotics when I have a headache.”

Together with the Export-Import Bank of Korea, KOICA is the one of the main bodies that implements Korea’s international development policies. But he said there are significant discrepancies between what’s needed across the continent and what is being offered or provided.

“Nigeria, for example, needs skill and technology to support its oil and gas industry,” he said, and the main reason for absences in these areas is communication. “There’s no real program without consulting ambassadors (here).”

A lack of communication with the African community while residing in Korea was also raised three years ago when he previously spoke to The Korea Times. KOICA was not available for comment, but three years ago, the response given was that the real lack of communication was between embassies and their ministries.

The ambassador indicated that an agriculture-dominant Africa needs technology transfers and the production of value-added commodities.

To achieve this, Nigeria has been appealing to foreign companies and governments for a long-term land lease. “Maize, for example, Korea comes with a system of equipments. Korea is coming to form a partnership with Nigeria in this business.” But he also said that no Korean company has yet landed a deal.

Sudan is known to be coveted by Korean companies regarding this. The first deal was made public in 2007 when Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visited Korea.

Al-Bashir signed a land lease deal that secured territory as big as Chungcheong Province with Korean companies for crop cultivation. This deal eventually fell through, but it triggered a race into the country among Korean companies in pursuit of similar projects.

Daewoo was interested in Madagascar, but a proposed deal failed due to a coup d’etat inside the country.

Against all odds, Korea-Africa ties are growing.

Bilateral trade and investment are on the rise. Korean Air has a flight to Nairobi, and in mid-June, Ethiopian Airlines will launch a commercial flight as well. Also, by the end of the year, Tanzania and Zambia will open embassies in Seoul, all of which causes him to remain optimistic about the relationship.