On 30^th June 2022, KEPSA represented by the CEO Ms. Carole Kariuki participated in the Africa Ireland Economic Forum (AIEF) 2022 in Dublin, Ireland following KEPSA’s previous participation in AIEF 2018. AIEF is a one-day conference bringing business and political leaders together with public and private sector stakeholders from across Ireland and the continent of Africa to share ideas and explore new opportunities to strengthen and diversify relationships and increase trade and investment in both directions. AIEF is a key element of Ireland’s Strategy for Africa to 2025.

Speakers at the forum included: Simon Coveney, T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence; Mariam Katagum, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria; Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group; Colm Brophy, T.D., Minister for Overseas Development Aid & Diaspora; Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Agriculture with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity; Dr. Jane Feehan, Head of West Africa representation for the European Investment Bank; Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland; Shane Hamill, Bord Bia’s Interim Director of Global Business Development; Allen Sophia Asiimwe, Deputy CEO and Chief of Programmes, TradeMark East Africa among others.

Themed ‘Prospering Post-Pandemic: Towards a Sustainable, Greener Future’, the forum showcased thought leaders from some of the world’s fastest-growing and most dynamic economies. AIEF 2022 was hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D who opened the forum with a keynote address. The Minister said “Africa’s potential is not theoretical – it is happening now. We are focused on building Ireland’s economic, political and cultural links right across the continent.

“The AIEF provides the opportunity to consider how Ireland can strengthen its support for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. There is a focus on leveraging technology and innovation for Africa’s growth, prioritizing women entrepreneurs and climate-smart innovation. I believe these are areas in which Irish companies have a wealth of experience to share with African partners.” Remarked Mr. Coveney.

Colm Brophy T.D., Minister for Overseas Aid and the Diaspora added “Ireland has decades of experience in working in partnership with Africa. While huge challenges remain, there is no doubt that economic growth is delivering transformative results across the continent. Our own experience of economic development can be useful to our African friends.”

The forum featured high-level addresses interspersed with moderated panel discussions taking a more detailed look at topics including regional trade, green growth in the agriculture, food, and energy sectors, women’s economic empowerment, and how technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship are being leveraged for Africa’s growth. Panellists and participants had the opportunity to reflect on how Irish and African expertise can be harnessed to build long-lasting partnerships, foster economic prosperity and drive opportunities for trade and investment.

Ms. Kariuki while participating in a session themed ‘Women’s economic empowerment – Women transforming the economic, trade, and investment relationship between Africa and Ireland’ highlighted some of the initiatives carried out by KEPSA with support from the Irish Embassy in Kenya. This included running a successful program geared to mitigate against the effects of COVID-19 and catalysing the growth of women-led SMEs in Kenya from 2^nd November – 31^st December 2020 that aimed to capacity build by training and mentoring women-led SME’s to cushion them against the negative effects of the pandemic in business.

Other key participants in the session were Pippa Hackett – Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Ms. Vera Songwe – Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); Josephine Sepeku – Project Manager, Dar Teknohama Business Incubator; former Ireland-Africa fellow, Jo Ryan, Interim CEO, TruTrade Africa; Chair, Business Ireland Kenya and Rawia Mansour, Founder and Chairperson, RAMSCO Foundation, Egypt. The session was moderated by Fionnuala Quinlan – Ambassador of Ireland, Kenya.

Trade between Ireland and African countries is at record levels and has the potential to grow significantly in the years ahead.

Among the positive economic developments between Ireland and Africa are:

• In 2021, trade in goods between Ireland and Africa increased to a record level of €2.41 billion (€1.85 billion in Irish exports and €0.55 billion in Irish imports).
• Trade-in services have also been a particular success story in recent years, now at a record level of just over €4 billion (€3.5 billion in exports and €0.57 billion in imports).
• Africa was Ireland’s fastest-growing export market in 2020 for dairy, seafood, and beverages.
• In 2021, the value of agri-food exports to Africa increased by a further 8% to €880 million, doubling in the space of a decade, while Irish spirits exports to Africa grew by 133%.
• Nigeria was Ireland’s largest agri-food export market in Africa in 2021, accounting for 24% of the market share at €210 million.
• South Africa was the largest African export partner overall in 2021 – with €380 million in exports – followed by Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria.