Africa–Australia mining community takes centre stage in Perth this week
Australia Boasting a company line-up with a combined $24 billion market cap and including several who have posted multimillion-dollar returns to shareholders in recent weeks, the 2026 Africa Down Under will demonstrate that despite assumptions, the African resources space continues to deliver for Australian investors.
Now in its 24th year, Africa Down Under (ADU) has grown from a small gathering of niche companies to the most important event in Australian-African diplomatic as well as business relations.
The event will take place at the Pan Pacific Perth and Novotel Perth hotels in the Perth CBD from 2-4 September.
As well as more than 40 ASX-listed companies set to appear, ADU will welcome 18 African government delegations to Perth, Western Australia for three days of debate, discussion and deliberation on the present state and future potential of Australian-African partnerships on the continent.
The recent performance of companies such as Perseus Mining, West African Resources and Sandfire Resources has proven that well-managed companies can thrive in Africa, despite the negative headlines so often associated with the continent.
Their success has not only incentivised junior companies to follow them to all corners of Africa, but has prompted African governments to view Australia, and WA in particular, as a natural partner for resource industry development.
ADU convener and Paydirt Media chairman Bill Repard says the size of this year’s conference – more than 1,500 delegates are expected from across the political, diplomatic and business spectrum – reflects the maturation of the Australian-African mining sector.
“From our first event of less than 100 people in 2003, ADU has grown into the premier forum for Australian-African engagement,” Mr Repard says.
“It has helped break down barriers and build understanding of not only the natural endowment of African countries but also Australian mining’s ability to develop projects in a fair, equitable and transparent manner.”
ADU is also an important forum for Australia’s diplomatic engagement with the African continent. Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Immigration, Foreign Affairs and Trade will deliver the opening address while Hon. Dr Anne Aly MP, Minister for Small Business, International Development and Multicultural Affairs, and the Australian Parliament’s first-ever African-born MP will also deliver a keynote address.
They will be joined by ministers and senior public servants from 18 African countries, many of which are looking to Australian companies to help identify, develop and operate mines and processing plants across a variety of commodities, including gold, copper, lithium, rare earths, graphite and other critical minerals.
“Australian companies have proven themselves to be trusted, world-class operators and many of the visiting African delegations see them as the ideal partner in developing assets, building skills and infrastructure capacity and improving the livelihoods of their citizens,” Mr Repard says.
Paydirt is providing media access throughout ADU, including a fully serviced media room in the Pan Pacific Hotel. Both company and government speakers will be available for interview on request.
For more information or to register, please contact Dominic Piper: +61 (0) 424 934 494
Please click here to see the full 2026 programme
