Africa Dialogue Post Event Report 24 by Emerge Edition

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Embassy of Mauritius Canberra and Mauritius Consulate- Vic Embassy of Uganda Canberra Consulate of Egypt Melbourne

Embassy of Zambia Canberra

Embassy of the Fed. Rebublic of Nigeria Canberra Consulate of Botswana Melbourne

EMERGING BRAND AFRICA

Strengthening Diaspora Diplomacy and Australia-Africa Relations

Speaker Highlights : 2024 Forum

CATHERINE JONATHAN HOST-AFRICA DIALOGUE EMERGING BRAND AFRICA

H.E MRS MARIE CLAIRE MONTY HIGH COMMISSIONER OF THE REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS - AUSTRALIA

DEPUTY DEAN OF AFRICAN DIPLOMATIC CORP- CANBERRA

MRS DI FLEMING AM HONORARY CONSUL OF MAURITIUS- VIC C0-FACILITATOR

AMB. DR. ELIAS MUNSHYA HIGH COMMISSIONER REPUIBLIC OF ZAMBIA - AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

CHARMAINE HUNZWI PRESIDENT INCUBATE FOUNDATION & DEBATE MODERATOR

PROF. MERCY O. CLEMENT ACT. HIGH COMMISSIONER REPUBLIC OF NIGERIAAUSTRALIA & PACIFIC ISLANDS

H.E. HAITHAM MOKHTAR ABDELRAOUF IBRAHIM CONSUL GENERAL ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT-MELBOURNE

COLLINS REX REX IDEAS | INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SPECIALIST

FRED ALALE AM

SENIOR EXECUTIVEPUBLIC SERVICE

DR. MATTHEW MABEFAM LECTURER UNIVERISTY OF MELBOURNE

At a Glance

✔ Strengthening diaspora engagement through economic and cultural ties between Australia and Africa.

✔ Advancing the diaspora’s ambassadorial role in building dynamic and enduring relationships.

✔ Increasing awareness of existing initiatives and accelerating their impact on Australia’s economic development and cultural diversity.

Executive Summary

The inaugural Africa Dialogue & Debate with the African Diaspora marked an important step in strengthening Australia-Africa relations through economic diplomacy,culturalexchange,anddiaspora-ledinitiatives.

The event brought together 76 key participants, including African diplomatic missions, Victorian government representatives, business leaders, and diaspora professionals, all committed to shaping meaningful engagement betweenAfricaandAustralia.

A key highlight was the strong diplomatic presence, with representation from six African embassies and high commissions—Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Mauritius, Uganda, and Botswana—demonstrating the importance of structured discussions between African missions and their diaspora communities.

Key Take aways

The African diaspora is a key but underutilized driver of economic diplomacy, capable of influencingtrade,investment,andpolicy.

The need for structured engagement platforms was emphasized, with calls for more frequent high-level dialogues to formalize the diaspora’s roleinshapingAustralia-Africarelations.

H.E. Mrs. Marie Claire Monty (Mauritius) highlighted the urgency of strengthening AfricaAustralia collaboration, stating that the African Union’s 2063 Agenda is too far away—more must be done now to accelerate meaningful engagement.

The Act. High Commissioner of Nigeria, H.E

Prof. Mercy O. Clement, highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with Australia, emphasizing the role of trade, investment, and diaspora engagementindrivingmutualgrowth

Hon. Pauline Richards MP commended African diaspora leaders in Victoria for their role in influencing policies that improve service delivery and economic participation for African communities

The Zambian Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Elias Munshya, reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to diaspora engagement and investment opportunities, particularly in agriculture and mining, urging stronger Australia-Zambia partnerships.

The General Consul of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Haitham Mokhtar Abdelraouf Ibrahim, emphasized Egypt-Australia diplomatic tiesandtheneedtoexpandtrade,education,and investmentcollaboration.

The Deputy Head of Mission, Uganda, Amb. Patrick Muganda, highlighted Uganda’s push for deeper diaspora engagement, focusing on business,tourism,andskillsexchange

. The Honorary Consul of Mauritius (Vic), Mrs. Di Fleming AM, positioned Mauritius as a strategic investment hub, calling for stronger AustraliaAfricaeconomicandculturalties.