African delegation highlights:
- Hon Tim Watts MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth of Australia (includes video message from Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs;
- David Michael MLA, Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Government of Western Australia;
- Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Republic of South Africa;
- Lilian Mwale Ntema, Chief Geoscientist, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Republic of Namibia;
- Anthony Mavunde MP, Minister of Minerals, Republic of Tanzania;
- Monica Chang’anamuno, Minister of Mining, Republic of Malawi;
- Oladele Henry Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Republic of Nigeria;
- Phiona Nyamutoro, Minister of State for Mineral Development, Republic of Uganda;
- Olivier Herindrainy Rakotomalala, Minister of Mines, Republic of Madagascar;
- Kizito Kapinga Mulume, Minister of Mines, Democratic Republic of Congo;
- Hon, Ali Hassan Joho, EGH. Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Republic of Kenya; and
- Gopounan Chérif, Chief of Cabinet, Ministry and Geology, Republic of Guinea.
Despite being a privately convened event, Africa Down Under has been the leading forum for Australian-African business and government relations for more than two decades, far surpassing in scope and scale any formal bilateral or multilateral events between the Australian Government and African countries.
Africa Downunder convenor and Paydirt Media executive chairman Bill Repard said he hoped the forum could continue as the main catalyst for greater political, economic and cultural exchange between our two continents.
Originally launched 22 years ago to raise awareness of Australia’s interests in African exploration, mining and energy developments, Africa Downunder is also the premier destination for African countries seeking to showcase their geological and political potential to attract future investment from Australian firms.
“While Australian exploration and mining investment is off its pre-Global Financial Crisis peak of almost 200 Perth-based companies pursuing their primary projects in Africa, interest has rebounded in the current period where there are now more than 100 local resources firms back on the ground in Africa,” Mr Repard said.
“Of course, Australian resources companies – including the many highly skilled consulting and contracting firms that operate on the continent – are not just exploiting economic resource opportunities, they are also imparting our more than 200 years of expertise and knowledge to locals on how to build a successful operation and sector more broadly.
“With Australia currently positioning to once again pursue a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, we genuinely hope to see the spotlight firmly back on Africa to secure the support of other Commonwealth-aligned countries for our bid, much like we witnessed in the successful bid launched in 2008 for a two year period starting from 2013, which was spearheaded by then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.”
The formal Africa Downunder programme will run across three days from 4-6 September at the Pan Pacific Perth, with a full schedule of associated events forming “Africa Week” in Perth celebrating the strong and growing business, social and cultural ties between Australia and the entire African continent.
For more information, or to register, contact Angelique Julien: angelique@paydirt.com.au
For media inquiries or registration, contact Michael Cairnduff: mcairnduff@purple.au
The full Africa Downunder programme can be downloaded here: https://www.africadownunderconference.com/programme/
Paydirt Media executive chairman Bill Repard greeting President of the Republic of Botswana, HE Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi during Africa Downunder 2023.
