Speech by Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Neale Richmond, at Africa Ireland Trade Horizons - 24 June 2025, Dublin Castle

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Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

I’m very pleased to address this audience. Based on the first panel, I think we can expect a fascinating day with a wide range of expertise from both Africa and Ireland.

I want to speak on a number of areas that I am deeply passionate about, and that I think are relevant for the discussions we will have today:

- Ireland’s relationship with the countries of Africa;

- the role of our diaspora and the connections between our people;

- and the urgent need for the international community to uphold our development commitments.

As Minister for International Development, I’ve had the privilege to meet and hear from a wide range of African Governments from across the continent.

I hear about the deep connections many African countries have with Ireland, through Irish communities, both new and established, and through the vital support Ireland gives to important sectors like education and healthcare.

I’ve seen the amazing work carried out by Irish Aid and Irish NGOs, working closely with local partners, and the impact it has on millions of people, particularly women and girls.

Ireland is committed to continuing that work, and we’ll continue to focus strongly on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

This is central to making progress on sustainable development. It’s also the right thing to do.

Ladies and gentlemen,

When I’ve visited Africa, whether in Tanzania, Kenya, Liberia, or Sierra Leone, I’m often asked about Ireland’s economic transformation.

How did Ireland do it?

How did we go from a relatively poor country within Europe, to an open and prosperous economy?

Trade is certainly one part of the answer.

Ireland has experienced first-hand the power of free and fair trade as a force for good.

Trade can raise living standards and lift people out of poverty.

It can provide decent work and pay, empowering young people to see a future at home.

Ireland’s experience is that alongside growing trade links, we need good governance, fair regulations, and a society where everyone has a chance to receive a decent education and healthcare.

Human development, in our experience, is inextricably linked with economic development.

The Sustainable Development Goals remain the guiding principles for the global development system.

With 2030 just five years away, the global path towards successfully achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is more tenuous than ever, but remains a priority for Ireland.

A return to progress on the Goals offers the only real prospect of achieving our ultimate aims: the elimination of extreme poverty, a meaningful education for every child, and access for all to the services needed for a dignified life.

As global official development assistance falls, the financing and investment gap for the SDGs only grows wider.

We all have a role to play in returning to the kind of progress we know we can see, when there is a broader movement at work.

Whether that’s governments, designing and delivering policies, providing official development assistance, and building alliances with other countries;

Whether that’s NGOs, delivering programmes on the frontlines, building coalitions and advocating for change;

Whether that’s the private sector, which can achieve a scale and cost-effectiveness that other sectors can’t.

The focus of Ireland’s Development Cooperation is reaching the Furthest Behind First, and we advocate that resources should disproportionately reach this group.

A key factor for inclusive economic growth that reaches the furthest behind, is an ecosystem where businesses can develop, operate and access markets.

This demands strong legal, policy and institutional frameworks, and effective and accountable institutions. Strong governance and adherence to rule of law must underpin this.

With our partner countries, Ireland works to support key economic, social and environmental objectives.

This includes private sector engagement for development, supporting social protection programmes, engaging in Aid for Trade and trade policy, research and innovation, and facilitating the transfer of knowledge, skills and expertise.

This transfer of expertise goes both ways, and we’ve heard from some leading experts already today.

I look forward to hearing more on this from the upcoming panels focusing on particular sectors.

The next panel focuses on food and agriculture, which is a key priority for Ireland both as a domestic industry and an export sector, as is the case for many African countries.

Ireland has had a long history of focusing on food systems and nutrition in our development cooperation, and this will continue.

We believe that food systems transformation must be at the heart of our work to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Adopting a food systems approach means looking across all stages of the value chain, from production, to processing, to distribution, to consumption. The private sector is a key part of this conversation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

One of the themes of today’s event is partnerships.

As businesspeople, politicians and policymakers alike know, you’re only as good as the relationships you have built.

Alongside the International Development portfolio, I am privileged to be the Minister for the Diaspora.

Given Ireland’s history of emigration, relations with the Global Irish diaspora have always been a part of our political, social and economic life.

When I travel to Africa or meet members of African communities living in Ireland, I’m struck by the parallels between Ireland and many countries, in terms of the strong connections with their citizens and communities abroad.

I know we’re going to hear from some incredible speakers throughout today who are members of the Irish diaspora in Africa and of the African diasporas in Ireland.

These are people building businesses and creating jobs and trade networks, anchoring the economic relationship between our two regions.

I’m also struck by the number of speakers and participants here today who have gone abroad to build a business, to train or to gain experience, before returning home, bringing their skills, networks and relationships with them.

The government is committed to continuing to support the Global Irish, and ensuring that our relationship with the diaspora is one that recognises the breadth of experiences, aspirations and needs.

To deliver this, I am in the process of engaging with Irish communities around the world to develop a new Diaspora Strategy.

This includes supporting emigrants seeking to return home, as well as recognising the contributions of those who have spent time in Ireland or have an affinity to Ireland.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I hope that today will contribute to the building of new connections and strengthening of relationships and networks between Ireland and Africa.

I look forward to continuing the discussion and keeping this conversation between our regions open, engaged and focused on the future.

ENDS

24 June 2025