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Potential for Ireland-Africa trade highlighted at Dublin conference

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris today highlighted the significant potential for Ireland to increase its trading relationship with Africa, urging Irish businesses to look south for new markets.

The Tánaiste was speaking at the Africa Ireland Trade Horizons Conference at Dublin Castle, attended by businesses and bodies representing a range of sectors across Ireland and Africa.

Total trade in goods between Ireland and Africa grew to a record €2.6 billion in 2024, with trade in services accounting for in excess of a further €6 billion.

The Tánaiste said:

“As a small, open economy Ireland is always looking to build new markets. With a population of approximately 1.5 billion, one-third of whom are under the age of 35, the economic potential of Africa as an export market for Irish businesses is huge. While serious challenges remain across the continent, I believe that Ireland’s mutually beneficial trading relationship with countries across Africa will grow significantly in the years ahead.”

Minister for Enterprise, Employment and Tourism, Peter Burke said:

“The Africa Ireland Trade Horizons conference taking place today is the first regionally focused event under the Department’s Trade Horizons’ banner. This event jointly held by my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade highlights the importance of a ‘Team Ireland’ approach to markets. This event will showcase the significant existing links between Ireland and Africa and will seek to identify additional opportunities for partnership and cooperation between Ireland and African nations moving forward.”

Ireland has a long history of engagement across Africa, with a strong focus on development cooperation through the work of Irish Aid and Irish civil society organisations. Led by Ireland’s Africa Strategy 2022-2025, trade and political links have grown significantly in recent years. Two-way trade is at record levels while Ireland now has fourteen embassies across Africa.

Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond said:

“Ireland plays an enormously positive role in the lives of millions of people across Africa, particularly women and girls, but our relationship goes far beyond development cooperation. Africa is home to the world’s youngest population and 11 of the 20 fastest growing economies on the planet. As Africa continues to develop, it will become an increasingly important market for Irish businesses. I believe this is an exciting time for Irish businesses to be looking to build trading partnerships across Africa.”

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth said:

“With today’s Africa Ireland Trade Horizons conference, we are aiming to strengthen economic ties and cooperation between the African continent and Ireland, with a focus on how we can build new collaborations and partnerships and explore additional avenues for trade and investment. Ireland is committed to strengthening its collaborations between Irish enterprise and African partners in the years ahead. I hope today will prove to be the first step in a renewed effort focused on mutual economic prosperity and partnership.”

The Africa Ireland Trade Horizons Conference was organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.

Notes:

  • Trade between Ireland and countries across Africa is at record levels. Total trade in goods between Ireland and Africa grew by 7.9%, from €2.4 billion in 2023 to €2.6 billion in 2024, while trade in services was €6.1 billion in 2023.
  • Agri-food exports are a key element of Ireland’s exports to Africa, valued at €914 million in 2024, up 7% on 2023 levels. Trade in dairy, seafood and beverages are all growing strongly.
  • Ireland exported €1.8 billion of goods to Africa in 2023. This compares with €868 million to South America, €990 million to Oceania and €22 billion to Asia.
  • Ireland imported €1 billion of goods from Africa in 2023. This compares with €1 billion from South America, €215 million from Oceania and €27.8 billion from Asia.
  • Ireland's five largest export markets in Africa are South Africa (€388m), Egypt (€279m), Morocco (€224m), Guinea (€152m) and Algeria (€126m).
  • Ireland's five largest import markets in Africa are South Africa (€321m), Egypt (€137m), Nigeria (€97m), Morocco (€92m) and Algeria (€60m).
  • South Africa was our largest trading partner for both flows. This included exports of €46 million of whiskey and imports of €124 million of platinum.
  • Ireland exported over 6,000 tonnes of cheese to Egypt, 3,200 tonnes of butter to Morocco and 33,000 tonnes of brewing malt to Nigeria.
  • Notable imports from Africa in 2023 included €96 million of fertilisers, mainly from Algeria, Egypt and Morocco, €92 million of aluminium ores from Guinea, and €26 million of tea from Kenya.