SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) -- Tanzania's new ambassador to South Korea has called for Seoul's greater investment in its critical minerals sector, hoping that a graphite project backed by Korea's POSCO International will play a key role in the global battery supply chain.

Ambassador Noel Emmanuel Kaganda made the remarks in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Friday, his first with a Korean media outlet since presenting his credentials to President Lee Jae Myung earlier this month.

"Our objective is not simply to export raw materials but to establish value chains within Tanzania through processing, manufacturing, skills development, technology transfer and responsible mining," the ambassador said.

"We therefore encourage Korean companies to become long-term partners across the entire value chain from exploration and processing to battery manufacturing and advanced technologies," he added.

Kaganda described the Mahenge graphite project, developed by Australia's Black Rock Mining and participated by POSCO International as a strategic partner, as one of Tanzania's "most significant critical minerals projects."

The Mahenge deposit is the world's second-largest known graphite resource, with commercial production expected to begin in 2028.

"The project is expected to play an important role in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain," the envoy said. "The graphite produced at Mahenge is expected to feed South Korea's battery materials supply chain, strengthening cooperation between Tanzania and South Korea in critical minerals."

Kaganda also noted Tanzania possesses abundant reserves of nickel, lithium, rare earth elements and other strategic minerals essential to the global energy transition.

Beyond mining, Kaganda said his country is seeking broader economic cooperation with South Korea, including various strategic infrastructure projects.

Korean companies have supplied passenger and freight trains for Tanzania's Standard Gauge Railway project and are currently supplying more than 400 additional railcars, the ambassador said, praising them for "their professionalism and engineering expertise."

Kaganda urged South Korea to view Africa as more than a source of raw materials, saying the two sides should focus on long-term partnerships based on mutual benefit, technology transfer and sustainable investment.

The envoy also highlighted Tanzania's political stability and strategic location as a gateway to East and Southern African markets through its membership in both the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community.

"To Korean investors, my message is simple: Tanzania is open for business. We welcome investors not only to serve Tanzania but also to use Tanzania as a gateway to East and Southern Africa."

Kaganda also expressed hope for stronger people-to-people exchanges, particularly in tourism, highlighting Tanzania's world-renowned attractions, including Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Zanzibar.

"Before the pandemic, Tanzania welcomed approximately 8,000 Korean visitors annually, and we are pleased to see those numbers steadily recovering," he said.

The envoy noted many Koreans first became familiar with Tanzania through legendary singer Cho Yong-pil's 1985 hit "The Leopard of Kilimanjaro," saying "such cultural connections demonstrate how music can build lasting friendships between nations."

Looking ahead, Kaganda hoped to elevate bilateral ties into a comprehensive strategic partnership through expanded trade, investment, tourism, academic exchanges and technological cooperation.

"I warmly invite Koreans to visit Tanzania, invest in Tanzania, study Tanzania, and partner with Tanzania," Kaganda said.

graceoh@yna.co.kr

(END)

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