Press release
Ireland’s trade in goods and services with Africa reach all time high
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, today presented to Government a report on the second year of the implementation of Ireland’s Africa Strategy. The report was presented on the eve of Africa Day, which is celebrated tomorrow (Wednesday, 25 May).
Commenting on the report, Minister Coveney said:
"Ireland made considerable progress to advance the objectives of the Africa Strategy throughout 2021. Ireland’s trade in goods increased to a record level of €2.42 billion, while trade in services reached all time high of just over €4 billion, with growth in services exports up by 300% in the 10 years to 2020.
"Our diplomatic network in Africa was extended with the opening of an Embassy in Morocco and this will expand further with an additional Embassy in Senegal. Another key highlight was Ireland becoming an associate member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, deepening our links with Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa and around the world.
"2021 saw Ireland take up its role as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council, which has further enabled Ireland to play a leadership role in contributing to peace and security in Africa. Ireland worked closely with African partners on key Security Council matters including through our role as co-penholders on the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel and co-chairs of the Informal Expert Group on Climate and Security. Ireland has also been at the forefront of efforts to address the conflict in Ethiopia at the Council. I was delighted to be able to visit both Kenya and Somalia last year which proved vital in informing our work on the Council."
Speaking from Mozambique, where he is meeting Irish Aid partners working in the health, education, climate and nutrition sectors, Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and the Diaspora, Colm Brophy, said:
"I am delighted to be able to see first-hand the impact of Ireland’s longstanding commitment to bilateral cooperation with Mozambique. Ireland is making a positive and sustainable difference to the lives of people here. As we mark Africa Day, this review shows how Ireland is deepening and strengthening political, economic and cultural relationships with Africa.
"The pandemic had a serious impact on people who were already furthest behind. Ireland has responded by increasing our international development assistance budget to over €1 billion for 2022. This will allow for increased investment in partner countries across Africa to recover from the impact of the pandemic, and also to respond to the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
"Ireland will contribute €800 million for global nutrition over the next 5 years. We will also continue to play a leading role on climate action. This was evident through the commitment made by the Taoiseach at COP26 to more than double Ireland’s international climate finance to at least €225 million per year by 2025."
‘Global Ireland: Ireland’s Strategy for Africa 2019-2025’ was launched in Dublin Castle on 28 November 2019. The Africa Strategy elaborates upon the commitments set out in the Global Ireland 2025 programme to expand Ireland’s engagement in Africa.
Ireland was elected to the UN Security Council in June 2020 and is currently serving a 2-year term, 1 January 2021 – 31 December 2022.
Ireland became an Associate Observer member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) in July 2021 at the CPLP Summit in Angola. 6 of the CPLP’s 9 Member States are African.
Ireland’s goods and services exports to Africa in 2021 amounted to approx. €6.5 billion.
Africa Day celebrations are taking place across the country this week, including on Africa Day itself. Irish Aid has funded 30 local authorities to host Africa Day events. See AfricaDay.ie for further details.