The importance of Australian-African business and government relations in the African development story is set to be reinforced as the most senior delegation of leaders to date head to Perth for the 21st edition of the Africa Down Under Conference.
Headlining this year’s African government visitors is the President of Botswana, His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, who will give a keynote address at the event.
Botswana is a major mining destination in Africa, and the President will be seeking to attract further investment in the sector, beyond its established reputation as a global diamond and copper producer.
Securing the President as a keynote speaker further boosts Africa Downunder’s reputation for attracting high level Ministerial delegations from Africa to Perth for the annual event in September.
Confirmed African Ministerial speakers for 2023 include:
- The Hon. Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Republic of South Africa;
- The Hon. Lamine Seydou Traore, Minister of Mines, Energy and Water for the Republic of Mali;
- The Hon. Monica Chang’anamuno MP, Minister of Mining for the Republic of Malawi; and
- The Hon. Antoinette N’Sambra Kalambayi, Minister of Mines for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Western Australia’s Minister for Mines and Petroleum; and Energy, the Hon. Bill Johnston MLA is also confirmed to present at the event on behalf of the State Government to welcome his overseas peers to WA.
Minister for Resources; and Northern Australia, the Hon. Madeleine King MP will present on behalf of the Federal Government and lead a delegation of other senior Commonwealth representatives, including Australia’s African Heads of Mission and representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Other African delegations attending this year’s Africa Downunder include senior representatives from South Africa, Ghana, Zambia, Namibia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
Paydirt Media Executive Chairman and Africa Downunder Convenor Bill Repard said he was expecting senior trade delegations from the United States and United Kingdom to also be in attendance at the conference.
“Our close allies in the US and the UK are looking to Australia, and Australian explorers and miners, to solve supply chain risks associated with current strategic mineral production globally,” Mr Repard said.
“Many countries in Africa boast significant endowments of copper, nickel, graphite, cobalt and lithium, and many of the Australian companies pursuing these commodities with projects in Africa will be at Africa Downunder.
“While the global electrification theme and the commodities that underpin it will likely be a core theme at this year’s conference, there are myriad interesting projects across more traditional commodities also under evaluation by Australian companies operating in Africa.
“Africa Downunder has for more than two decades now been a very important bi-lateral trade meeting for senior influencers in government on both sides of the Indian Ocean.”
This year’s event will be held 6 – 8 September at the Pan Pacific, Perth where delegates will hear from more than 40 resources companies with core projects under development in Africa, as well as a number of panel discussions and a trade show which is at more than 90 per cent capacity.
In addition to the main conference, there will be a number of satellite events taking place in Perth during Africa Week, focusing on a variety of topics related to mining and energy, including research and education; sustainable development; and capacity building across the African resources sector.
For more information on being involved in the Africa Downunder Conference:
Visit: https://www.africadownunderconference.com/
Email: angelique@paydirt.com.au
