Speech by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, at the Africa Ireland Trade Horizons conference - 24 June 2025, Dublin Castle

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Good afternoon everyone,

I’m delighted to be here with you today.

The story of Ireland and Africa has deep roots, stretching back hundreds of years, but in more recent times it has become one of innovation, resilience, and mutual respect.

A story of partnership and community, that we witness in the thriving African communities living in every county in Ireland, and in the Irish communities established across the African continent.

It’s encouraging, and indeed inspiring, to see the level of participation and energy here today. I hope each of you leaves with something of that energy, to keep building, innovating and connecting.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We’re here today in challenging times for those who believe in an open and fair global trading system, free from protectionism, as Ireland does.

Trade and our trading relations with partners around the world have always been central to the Irish economic model.

But trade is not just an economic theory for us – it is interwoven into how we view ourselves and our role in the global community.

Increased uncertainly in the global trading system, and the shift toward protectionism, are major barriers to economic growth and prosperity.

Ireland cannot meet these challenges alone; nor can any single country.

We need strong partnerships, underpinned by mutual respect.

We need strong multilateral institutions and a rules-based trading system – one that we should remain an active advocate for.

International trade has long served as a powerful engine of global economic growth and development.

One of the most profound impacts of international trade is its role in lifting people out of poverty; this is a message Ireland has been proudly championing over many decades.

By integrating into the global economy, many developing countries have achieved rapid economic growth, job creation, and income gains, helping hundreds of millions of people transition from extreme poverty to improved living standards.

For this to continue to be the case, we must protect that framework of rules ensuring transparency, predictability, and equal treatment among trading partners.

I particularly want to acknowledge the contribution today from Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Johanna Hill, and thank her for sharing her insights.

I also want to acknowledge those who have travelled from Africa to be here with us today. We greatly appreciate your participation and welcome your expertise.

And a special thank you in this regard to Minister Keyamo of Nigeria, a regular visitor to Ireland and always a valued guest.

Ladies and gentlemen,

While there are challenges, there is also cause for optimism.

The African Continental Free Trade Area has the potential to transform trade within Africa and boost economic growth.

Some estimates show that foreign direct investment into Africa could more than double by 2035, with 30 million people on the continent lifted out of extreme poverty in the same timeframe.

The potential for transformation on the continent with the youngest population, soon to account for nearly 20% of the global workforce, is evident.

Ireland has gone through an economic transformation over the last 50 years. We can attribute much of this success to using the opportunities offered to us by regional economic integration as part of the European Union.

We have first-hand experience of what that transformation means for businesses, governments, and most importantly for people.

Ireland and the EU, as Team Europe, are committed to supporting Africa in implementing what will be the largest free trade area in the world.

Through the Global Gateway strategy, the EU is working to mobilise €300 billion of sustainable investment, much of which is focused on Africa.

A key part of Ireland’s Aid for Trade is building capacity within the private sector, for regional and global trade.

The International Trade Centre, who we have supported for several years, is a key partner in this work and I’m very pleased that the Executive Director of the Centre, Pamela Coke Hamilton, was able to join us today.

Other important areas of our Aid for Trade work focus on supporting capacity building programmes for government officials working on trade.

Later this year Ireland will host a Study Visit for the WTO French-Irish Mission Programme, and I look forward to welcoming the participants and sharing Ireland’s experience as a small open economy.

We are also supporting the training of future leaders in our world-class universities through the Ireland Fellows Programme. Some of the Fellows are here today and I hope many of you will have the opportunity to meet and connect with these future leaders.

Notwithstanding the challenges we face globally, Ireland and Africa’s economic ties are strengthening.

Trade is growing, trade in goods has increased by over 20% since 2019, and trade in services by over 60%.

However, I know it’s not always easy for companies looking to export in either direction, and we all have more to do in terms of market access and making our business environments as welcoming as we can.

That’s why the government is committed to bolstering Ireland’s enterprise economy, free and fair trade, competitiveness and innovation.

Irish businesses are trading in Africa and thriving, and we’ve heard from some of those today about the opportunities they see and the expertise they have to share.

African businesses are investing in and creating jobs in Ireland too. I’m particularly pleased we have heard from African entrepreneurs who are here in Ireland growing their businesses, while keeping those vital links with Africa.

Ireland is also supporting the growth of indigenous start-ups through programmes like the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa. The Tech Challenge supports entrepreneurs to scale up their businesses through sharing Irish expertise and mentoring.

There’s a wealth of knowledge, innovation and expertise in Africa, and I know many Irish companies are eager to connect with that.

Collaboration between Irish companies and African partners is crucial for realising the opportunities that come from innovation.

Much of this innovation is happening in the digital space. Ireland is committed to driving our digital agenda, and to remaining a digital leader at the heart of Europe, and globally.

We are focused on embracing the opportunities that AI and digital technologies offer – for our start-ups and businesses, our public services, and ultimately our citizens and their quality of life.

We understand that business wants a well-regulated, stable and predictable trading environment.

Good regulation goes hand-in-hand with ensuring a successful and sustainable innovation ecosystem.

And sustainability needs to be at the heart of what we do.

Beyond the daily headlines, the climate crisis continues to be the challenge of our generation. We’re feeling it in Ireland, but the impact is already far greater in parts of Africa.

We all need to be part of the solution.

Ireland has an ambitious strategy to respond to the climate crisis, putting climate solutions at the centre of Ireland’s social and economic development.

The implementation of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan will create jobs; new economic opportunities and it will protect people and the planet.

The government has committed to halving Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to reaching net zero no later than 2050.

I recognise that we still have some way to go, but we’re committed to the process, and to supporting global efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Ireland has been a strong voice for targeting climate finance to where it’s most needed, including Least Developed, African and Small Island Developing States.

We’ve more than doubled our climate finance in the last decade, with a strong focus on adaptation, and we’ll continue to be a strong voice into the future.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I hope that what you will take away from today is a sense of the huge potential for growth in the Ireland-Africa relationship.

The government is ready to support that growth.

Trade diversification is much in the public conservation today, but we’ve been working to strengthen our relationships with African countries for a long time, right across the political, economic, cultural and development areas.

We’re doing this because we see the value of these relationships now and long into the future.

We see the value of intensified engagement with Africa in forums like the G20, where the African Union and European Union sit side by side.

The invitation for Ireland to participate this year as a guest country of the South African Presidency reflects our strong relationship, our status as a dynamic and open trading economy, and our proud track record of championing sustainable development.

Through Global Ireland and the government’s Africa Strategy, we have expanded our Team Ireland presence in Africa.

We have opened new embassies in Morocco and in Senegal.

We have strengthened the presence of our State Agencies – Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and IDA Ireland – across the continent.

And we continue to prioritise African and LDC countries in our Official Development Assistance, which we have committed to grow year on year.

We are working on a new Global Ireland 2040 strategy, and a new Africa Strategy will form a key part of its implementation.

Ireland is taking a long-term vision for the future and we will work, alongside others, to shape a better one.

We see that future focus reflected in African initiatives like the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We can all challenge ourselves to seek out new ways to work together, to overcome obstacles and do together what none of us can do alone.

Today has been an opportunity to refresh and expand our networks and learn from each other.

I hope these connections will form the basis for new partnerships, stronger ties and greater prosperity for all our people.

Thank you all for your participation today.

ENDS

24 June 2025