The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has adopted a new inquiry into the potential to expand Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa.

Media release issue date: Friday, 17 October 2025

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) has adopted a new inquiry into the potential to expand Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa. The Chair of the JSCFADT, the Hon Shayne Neumann MP, said ‘Australia’s trading relationship with the countries of Africa has strongly focused on the extractives and tourism sectors. Africa is a diverse continent of 54 countries, spanning vastly different resources and development. It is important to recognise that Africa is not a single market, but comprises discrete economies with separate and diverse opportunities.’ The Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Mrs Fiona Phillips MP, said ‘Australia has long-standing relations with countries of Africa, with a two-way goods and services trade valued at $12.7 billion in 2024. Over recent years, several African nations have experienced strong economic and population growth and this trend is projected to continue. The Committee is keen to examine the opportunities to expand and diversify trade and investment with African nations, including enhancing engagement through the African Continental Free Trade Area. There is great potential for Australia to strengthen its economic and diplomatic relations in the region.’ Key themes of the inquiry’s focus include: the nature of Australia’s existing trade and investment relations with the region identifying barriers and impediments to trade and investment identifying opportunities for Australian businesses to diversify exports to specific African markets. assessing the potential for the African Continental Free Trade Area to stimulate greater economic engagement between Australia and Africa the role of the Government in identifying new opportunities and assisting Australian companies to access existing and potential economic opportunities in Africa. The Subcommittee is now inviting written submissions by Friday, 19 December 2025. Media inquiries Katrina Condie, office of Mrs Fiona Phillips MP (Member for Gilmore; Chair, Trade Subcommittee) Ph: 0437 662 967 For background information Committee Secretariat Ph: 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.