Visit to Ethiopia and Kenya

This week I will travel to Ethiopia and Kenya to strengthen Australia’s partnerships and our cooperation with the African Union.

Australia’s shared interests with our African partners are important and my travel to Ethiopia and Kenya follows my visit to Africa in December 2022.

In Ethiopia, I will discuss the progress of peace and stability in Ethiopia, regional security, and trade and investment opportunities. I will also meet with delegations to the annual African Union Summit, the first Australian minister to do so since 2017.

Australia recognises the African Union’s vital role in promoting peace and prosperity across Africa and globally. I will advocate for our interests, including our shared interest in a rules-based international system that benefits all countries.

We must seize the opportunity to build on Australia’s strong community and business links with Africa, and strengthen our cooperation, including by supporting the implementation of the transformative African Continental Free Trade Area.

In Kenya, I look forward to meeting Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr Alfred Mutua, and other government ministers, business stakeholders and community leaders.

Australia and Kenya enjoy a close relationship focused on education, mining and agricultural interests, the Indian Ocean, and cooperation in the multilateral system. I look forward to identifying how we can continue to grow these links and also strengthen our work together to address climate change and its devastating impacts.