While the first economic conference between Indonesia and the nations of Africa was limited to government policy makers and private sector businesses, the Foreign Ministry is also using colorful cartoon images to inform the general public about the historic and economic ties between them.

The Foreign Ministry has been posting the comics on its social media, where it also airs real-time reports of what is happening at the Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF). On the Instagram account @Kemlu_RI, for instance, the ministry uploaded a five-piece comic that depicts how Indonesia and Africa have developed their rapport since it was first established in 1955 through the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, West Java.

The comic ends with an illustration of a cartoon President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo publicly expressing an interest to “transform” the regions’ political ties into concrete economic schemes. Behind the President is a character resembling Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi.

The cartoon set had attracted thousands of hits by Tuesday afternoon was liked and commented by 1,139 people. Sixteen commented.

“Very cool!! I hope another comics like this again,” said an Instagram user with account @daniel_varianto.

Another user, known by the account @ambindoparis, also praised the cartoons but requested an English translation: “Thank you @Kemlu_RI. Hopefully there will be an English version.”

Aside from history, some other cartoons — which are likewise published on the ministry’s Twitter account @Kemlu_RI — also depict figures and items involved in national trade and investment.

An illustration posted on the Twitter account features a noodle pack that closely resembles Indonesia’s popular instant noodle, Indomie.

“Noodles are a popular dish in Indonesia; they’re suitable for breakfast, lunch, even for a midnight snack! But do you know our friends in Africa also share the same love for noodles as Indonesians?” reads the illustration’s caption, which includes the hashtags #IndonesiaAfrica and #IAFBali2018.

According to the cartoon, both Indonesians and Africans call instant noodles by the brand name, Indomie.

First marketed in Africa in the late 1980s, Indomie has helped its producer, Indofood, become the third largest food company in the region. It has also become the second largest food manufacturer in Nigeria.

The comic says the company’s production of Indomie in the region is 4 million boxes per month.

Apart from Indomie, Indonesian products that have entered the African market include energy drinks, soaps and detergents.

For example, Indonesia exports approximately 17 shipping containers of detergent per month to Senegal.

Detergent So Klin, made by Indonesian firm PT Sayap Mas Utama, is particularly popular, as are motorcycles assembled in Indonesia, which the Senegalese call “Jakartas”.

Trade between Africa and Indonesia in 2017 was worth US$8.84 billion, which was a 15.25 percent increase from 2016.

“The development of cooperation with Africa is a priority of Indonesia’s foreign policy,” said Vice President Jusuf Kalla during the IAF’s opening ceremony on Tuesday.

“I welcome the fact that this forum will produce concrete economic cooperation in the fields of strategic infrastructure industries and financing,” he added.

Apart from sharing cartoons, the ministry’s social media has been actively reporting what was discussed during the IAF, which is being held until Wednesday in Nusa Dua, Bali, and what kind of deals have been signed.

Popular

Indonesian crew member dies in cruise ship fire off Singapore

Govt urged not to compromise too much for US trade deal

Why Israel fears Indonesian peacekeepers in Gaza