With a vision to bring Africa to the forefront of the Australian trade and investment focus, the Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce (AACC) will stage the Australia-Africa Business Summit 2024 at the Sofitel on Collins from May 12-14.

The two-day conference will provide a unique opportunity to access key government representatives and private sector leaders with the shared aim of building business between Australia and Africa.

The event was postponed in 2023 but returns this year to facilitate in-depth discussion about the state of bilateral/multilateral trade as well as to provide practical insights for those seeking to enter markets.

It will feature business leaders, governments, policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs from both continents, and has the endorsement of the Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Paul Guerra.

“With Victoria home to Australia’s largest African population, there’s no better city to host the inaugural Australia Africa Business Summit in 2024,” Mr Guerra said.

“The event will encourage both Australian and African communities to explore new business opportunities and maximise existing relationships. The Summit’s theme of New Bridges, New Connections taps into that focus of establishing and growing strong relationships between our continents.

“The Victorian Chamber enjoys a strong working relationship with the Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce, which will only strengthen as we progress our plans to co-host the World Chambers Congress here in Melbourne in 2025,”

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will partner with the Summit, while AfCFTA Secretary-General H.E. Wamkele Mene will deliver a keynote address.

“The AfCFTA Secretariat is looking forward to this important Summit which will enhance the growing economic ties between Africa and Australia,” he said.

“We believe our partnership with AACC will immensely contribute to propelling trade as the instrument for economic transformation of the African continent. This unique platform will enable much needed initiatives between private and public sector to generate a call to action beyond the event.

“Australian businesses with an eye to the future should consider that by 2050, Africa will have a population of 2.5 billion with the youngest working population in the world.”

AACC President Duncan Harris welcomed the Victorian Chamber’s support.

“To have the support of VCCI and Paul Guerra, in what will be a crucial moment in Australian and African relations is pivotal,” Mr Harris said.

“Formalities and planning for the Summit are well underway, and we are looking forward to hosting presenters and delegates from both Australia and continental Africa.”

More information and registration is available via the Australia-Africa Business Summit website.