High Commissioner hails growing Kenya-Australia trade, people-to-people ties

Australia marked its national day in Nairobi with a series of events showcasing the nation’s culinary and economic identity.

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The week-long celebrations culminated on April 16, with a ‘Taste of Australia’ barbeque, highlighting a significant deepening of the bilateral relationship between Australia and Kenya across the sectors of trade, mining and education.

“It has been a big week for Kenya-Australia relations, with the first ever visit by the Matildas to Africa and with our Taste of Australia showcase,” High Commissioner Jenny Da Rin said in her address.

“Today, we’re celebrating this partnership by sharing our culture and highlighting our world class products.”

It was the first time Kenya has hosted a FIFA women’s tournament and the Matildas’ debut in Africa.

The event celebrated the women’s football team’s historic appearance in Kenya, where they faced the Harambee Starlets in the final of a Women’s FIFA series tournament.

Da Rin highlighted the symbolic power of women’s sport as a diplomatic bridge.

“Sport brings people together,” she said, noting that the FIFA series allowed Kenyan girls to “see what’s possible”.

Australia and Kenya have longstanding diplomatic ties, with cooperation spanning climate change, food security, peacebuilding and maritime security.

Da Rin noted that two‑way trade between Australia and Kenya now exceeds one billion dollars per year, making Kenya Australia’s second largest trading partner in Africa. Kenyans are the largest cohort of international students from Africa in Australia.

“Australia is ready to connect capability with opportunity in ways that benefit both countries,” she said.

“The momentum in our trade relationship shows great potential.”

Da Rin underscored the importance of partnerships at a time when power competition, democracy and rules-based order dominate global conversations.

“Across the world, we are seeing heightened major power competition and economic and security challenges that are impacting us all. And reinforcing the fact that we all have a stake in how the world works. For middle power countries like Australia and Kenya, and many of the countries represented here today, working together to support strong institutions, open economies and predictable rules of engagement benefits our country and our people.”

The High Commissioner also pointed to mining as a priority sector for future collaboration. Australian mining firms have invested approximately $60 billion across Africa to develop mineral resources, she said, adding that Australia could support Kenya to build a sustainable mining sector aligned with national priorities.

"As global demand continues to grow for minerals that underpin modern technologies, clean energy and vital infrastructure, Australia can bring world-leading expertise and is ready to support Kenya as it develops this sector in a way that is sustainable, beneficial to the country, and aligned with national priorities."

Through the Australia Awards scholarships, Kenya will continue to receive support for postgraduate study in fields such as mining, agriculture, health, environmental management and governance.

The economic dimensions of the partnership were showcased through a curated exhibition of Australian wines, gins, and food products.

Delivered in partnership with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, known as Austrade, the ‘Taste of Australia’ introduced local stakeholders to premium Australian exports.

"When Australians have a party, it’s usually a BBQ…"The Australian BBQ is a way of life – it brings us together, takes us into the great outdoors, celebrates our world-class Australian produce – our beef, our lamb, our seafood."