Federal Minister for Small Business, International Development and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, used her address to Africa Down Under to reflect on the deeply personal ties between Australia and the African continent, telling delegates that Africa was “not a peripheral player on the world stage, but a consequential one”.
Born in Egypt herself, Dr Aly said modern Australia had been profoundly shaped by the contributions of Africans who had chosen to make the country home. More than half a million African-born people now call Australia home, according to Dr Aly, who said these connections underpinned a broader partnership between Australia and Africa spanning trade and investment, education, research, multilateral cooperation, and peace and security.
“A partnership built not only on interests, but on trust because if we want a world that is stable, that is prosperous and secure, these connections matter now more than ever,” she said.
Dr Aly said the world was undergoing profound change, with intensifying strategic competition, an unprecedented number of ongoing conflicts, and mounting pressure on the rules and norms that had long underpinned global stability – challenges she said no single nation could solve alone.
Amid this backdrop, she said Africa’s significance was only growing, with more than a quarter of United Nations member states and more than a third of Commonwealth members drawn from the continent, while the African Union now holds a permanent seat at the G20 table alongside South Africa.
“Conversations about the future must place Africa at the centre, because the challenges that lay ahead cannot be overcome without your leadership, without African partnership or without African voices at the table.”
She pointed to Australia’s campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2029–2030 term as one avenue through which the country would continue to advocate for greater African representation across the multilateral system, alongside continued cooperation on peacebuilding, the transition to net zero, food security, countering violent extremism and building climate resilience.
Next month, Australia, the United Nations and the Indian Ocean Commission will convene a regional dialogue with African small island developing states in Mauritius ahead of COP31, elevating the voices of nations disproportionately impacted by climate change.
Dr Aly also confirmed a parliamentary committee is currently conducting an inquiry into strengthening trade and investment with Africa, giving stakeholders the opportunity to pitch ideas on future opportunities.
Turning to the mining and extractive sector, Dr Aly said Africa held approximately a third of the world’s mineral resources – resources she described as increasingly essential to the global clean energy transition – with Australian expertise in mining, governance, environmental management and mining services widely recognised globally.
More than 170 Australian companies currently operate across 35 African countries, having collectively invested more than $60 billion across the continent.
“What is particularly important is that the best investments create value far beyond extraction alone, because they support jobs, they develop skills, they improve infrastructure, they strengthen communities, and they create pathways to broader economic opportunity,” Dr Aly said.
She cited the Nyanzaga gold mine in Tanzania, where development was creating new economic opportunities alongside local infrastructure and training, as well as investment in Mozambique that had supported schools, community facilities and expanded access to electricity and water.
“Taken together, this is what partnership looks like – not simply investment, but shared prosperity,” she said.
Looking ahead, Dr Aly said mining would remain an important pillar of growth but represented only part of the story, with Africa’s population projected to approach 2.5 billion people within the next 25 years, more than 60% of whom will be under the age of 25.
“That represents one of the greatest reservoirs of human potential anywhere in the world – a young population, an entrepreneurial population, an ambitious population,” she said.
Dr Aly said Australia’s cooperation with Africa extended beyond trade and investment into education and training, research and business partnerships, and the exchange of ideas.
“One person’s opportunity can create opportunities for thousands more; one person’s leadership can transform institutions; one person’s confidence can inspire an entire generation. This is the power of investing in people,” she said.
Closing her address, Dr Aly said Australia sought to be a practical and reliable partner to Africa. A partner that listens, that learns and that works alongside African nations to advance shared goals.
“Australia stands ready to work with African countries in pursuit of these goals, not as distant observers, but as partners; partners connected by people, partners connected by history, partners connected by the future that we hope to build together,” she said.
