Business Breakfast explores the role of alumni as important partners for Austrade in Africa

Australia Awards alumni in Nairobi attended a Business Breakfast at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya on 27 March 2024. The attendees used the opportunity to network with fellow alumni and staff from the local Austrade office and the Australian High Commission, Kenya.

In his address, Austrade’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, Mr Scott Morriss, shared his thoughts on why Australia Awards alumni are important to Austrade’s trade with Africa. He explained the factors influencing Australian companies perception of  and investment in business environments in different African markets which ultimately influenced Austrade’s decision to relocate their offices from South Africa to Kenya. Kenya’s stable political environment,  strong economic growth, improving infrastructure and a business friendly regulatory approach are some of the main reasons that has led more Australian and international companies, universities and other organisations to choose Kenya as their ideal African hub for business on the continent.

The Australian High Commissioner, HE Ms Jenny Da Rin, made introductory remarks and emphasised the role that alumni have in leverage networks and the expertise they have to share. She also mentioned the importance of Nairobi as a growing centre and gateway to East Africa.

Mr Morriss stressed the importance of alumni as allies in the building two-way trade relations on the continent and expressed Austrade’s wish to expand the relationship with Australia Awards alumni in the region.