This year’s Africa Dialogue – Consular & Diaspora Series brought together African diplomats, consular representatives, business leaders, and diaspora changemakers for a high-level discussion on the future of Australia-Africa engagement.
Held at the Melbourne Business School, the forum built upon last year’s success, welcoming distinguished guests, including H.E. Amb. Dr. Jane Adams (Nigeria), H.E. Amb. Abdelatif Embassy of Sudan in Canberra, H.E. Amb. Adel Eldali Emabssy of the State of Libya in Canberra, Hon. Roland Jabbour OAM (Morocco), Hon. Di Fleming AM (Mauritius) and Hon. Bruce Atiknson, Former President of the Legislative Council-Victorian Parliament. Their participation, alongside influential figures from corporate, policy, and academia, underscored the growing importance of this dialogue.
Key Themes That Emerged
🔹 From Crisis Response to Strategic Partnerships – The discussions challenged Australia’s reactive approach to Africa, calling for long-term engagement in trade, investment, and policy.
🔹 The Role of the African Diaspora – The diaspora’s influence in shaping bilateral relations was a recurring theme, with speakers highlighting its potential to bridge business and policy gaps.
🔹 Missed Economic Opportunities – Africa is one of the fastest-growing economic regions, yet Australia continues to overlook its investment potential, particularly in renewable energy, agribusiness, and infrastructure.
🔹 Geopolitical Shifts & Global Competition – China’s deepening investment in Africa raises critical questions about Australia’s position and the need for a clear Africa strategy.
What’s Next?
Following this dialogue, key priorities include the establishment of a Diaspora Council to drive structured engagement and advocacy. The conversation will also continue at the upcoming Canberra Roundtable, with the main Africa Dialogue Forum set to return to Melbourne later this year.
This event reaffirmed that Africa matters to Australia, and the time for meaningful, strategic engagement is now. Stay tuned for more insights from the post-event report and upcoming initiatives.
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