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Ireland and Africa. Over Fifty Years of Official Relations 1960-2012. Ireland and Africa. Missionaries and Aid Agencies Embassy Nigeria 1960 Official ODA, EU Membership 1973 Programme Countries, development focus South Africa 1994, development and trade Hunger Task Force 2008.
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Ireland and Africa Over Fifty Years of Official Relations 1960-2012
Ireland and Africa • Missionaries and Aid Agencies • Embassy Nigeria 1960 • Official ODA, EU Membership 1973 • Programme Countries, development focus • South Africa 1994, development and trade • Hunger Task Force 2008
A Changing Africa • Many countries growing at >5% annually • Illustrates importance of investment in development • Major progress in social sectors, governance and political stability • Growing young population, need for economic development, trade and investment
Opportunities and Challenges • By 2030, 50% of Africans will live in cities • Need to modernise agriculture • Lessons from Ireland have relevance • Need to increase productivity and nutritional value of food • Initial market is local, possibly developing to the region and international levels
The Africa Strategy • Responds to complexity of Africa • Coherence between development, political relations and promotion of economic and trade opportunities • Move away from aid dependency • Promotion of trade and investment • Commercial solutions for development challenges
DFAT Role in Africa • Eleven Embassies support network of Honorary Consuls across Africa • Collaboration with new partners across government and with private business • Support Irish Trade and Investment in Africa • Growing Middle Class presents opportunities for smallholder producers • Need for investment in processing to add value to local production