▲ Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti (L), then Tunisian ambassador to South Korea, poses with Sohn Kyung-shik, then chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for a photo prior to their talks in Seoul on Feb. 7, 2013, in this file photo provided by the chamber. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(Yonhap Interview) Tunisian FM

(Yonhap Interview) Tunisian FM urges S. Korean firms to expand into Africa amid supply chain disruptions

By Chang Dong-woo

SEOUL, June 1 (Yonhap) -- Investments in Africa will offer new and evolving business opportunities, as well as a chance to diversify and expand supply chains amid disruptions in major international trade routes, the top diplomat of Tunisia said.

In a written interview with Yonhap News Agency, Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti also stressed that his country may offer a "strategic gateway" for South Korean businesses seeking access to African, European and Middle Eastern markets.

"At the crossroads of Africa, Europe and the Arab world, Tunisia provides South Korea a strategic launchpad built on a foundation of industrial maturity, constantly improving infrastructure and top-tier talent," he said, noting recent global crises, including instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, have strengthened the need for South Korea to diversify supply chains and production in Africa.

"The current geopolitical volatility and multifaceted global disruptions have underscored a fundamental reality: global supply chain diversification is no longer an option; it is an economic and security imperative," the minister added. "Korean companies are now urged to diversify their supply chains and production locations towards Africa."

Nafti is one of over 50 foreign ministers and senior diplomats from African nations set to participate in the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting to be held Monday in Seoul. Participants will discuss joint responses to multiple global challenges and ways to boost cooperation for shared growth.

The minister's assessment comes as South Korea has faced growing concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities and energy security risks amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Nafti stressed Africa's strategic importance was increasing, noting shipping routes around the Cape of Good Hope were gaining importance amid disruptions to traditional maritime routes.

"With global shipping increasingly forced to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, African ports and coastal infrastructure have reemerged as pivotal nodes for maintaining uninterrupted global commerce," he said.

The minister also pitched his country as a strategic gateway for Korean businesses seeking access to African, European and Middle Eastern markets.

"At the crossroads of Africa, Europe and the Arab world, Tunisia provides South Korea a strategic launchpad built on a foundation of industrial maturity, constantly improving infrastructure and top-tier talent."

Nafti served as Tunisia's ambassador to South Korea from 2013 to 2018. He recalled his time in Seoul as an important period for him in shaping his views on Korea-Africa cooperation.

"Returning to Seoul feels less like an official visit and more like returning to a second home," he said. "Serving as ambassador to the Republic of Korea for five years allowed me to witness firsthand the extraordinary dynamism, resilience and sense of purpose of the Korean people."

He also praised South Korea's rapid economic development and said Korea's growth experience could serve as an important model for Africa.

In addition, Nafti stressed that African nations are increasingly seeking partnerships with South Korea centered on industrial development and technology transfer rather than resource extraction or traditional aid relationships.

"African nations do not expect Korea to merely extract critical minerals; they expect Korea to play a transformative role by helping build processing plants, upgrading regional logistics infrastructure and co-developing sustainable joint ventures and manufacturing investments," he said.

The minister added South Korea's expertise in information and communications technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and smart manufacturing could help Africa accelerate industrial and digital transformation.

Drawing on his diplomatic experience in Seoul, Nafti also emphasized Korea's governance and institutional development experience as another area of educational value for African countries.

"Korea's unique strengths lie in what can be termed the 'software' of development, where it excels at institutional capacity building, digital governance architectures and educational models far beyond just building physical infrastructure."

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