Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he believes Ireland can improve its trade with the various African countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40905/24]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the world's youngest continent in demographic terms, Africa has enormous potential for sustained, sustainable economic growth in the coming decades. Ireland's vision for our relationships with African countries involves a commitment to development assistance which reaches the furthest behind first, but has also evolved beyond aid, aiming for a mutually beneficial trade and investment partnership.

The Government’s Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026: Value for Ireland, Values for the World, positions Ireland to expand and diversify our trading relationship with African countries. The Government's Strategy for Africa to 2025 also prioritises mutually beneficial trade and investment relationships.

The level of trade between Ireland and Africa has grown in recent years. The total value of trade between Ireland and Africa reached a record €10.1 billion in 2022, of which Irish exports to Africa represented €8.2 billion and imports from Africa to Ireland €1.9 billion. Irish agri-foods remain a particularly important export sector to Africa, standing at €889 million in 2023. Ireland is a leading global exporter of dairy products to West Africa, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine led a trade mission to the region last year to support this important sector.

Other actions under the Africa Strategy which are contributing to strengthened trade relationships have included the opening of new Irish embassies in Morocco and Senegal, key markets in North and West Africa. Our State agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and IDA Ireland, have also strengthened their presence in Africa in recent years. This expansion of our footprint in Africa provides valuable entry points for new trade and investment.