African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (CPAPS), Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, has concluded a visit to Australia aimed at strengthening cooperation in counterterrorism and exploring opportunities for a broader strategic partnership between the African Union and Australia.
The visit, conducted under Australia’s Special Visits Program, brought together senior Australian officials responsible for foreign policy, development and national security, alongside representatives of the African Union.
Counterterrorism was at the centre of the engagement, with discussions focused on the evolving security threats facing Africa and opportunities for closer cooperation between the AU and Australia.
The talks provided Australian officials with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the AU’s approach to addressing terrorism and other security threats across the continent. The AU delegation, in turn, gained insights into Australia’s policies, institutions and operational responses to terrorism.
The engagement comes as the African Union moves to strengthen its continental counterterrorism architecture. Recent measures include the operationalisation of the AU Peace and Security Council Sub-Committee on Counterterrorism and adoption of the Continental Strategic Plan of Action on Combating Terrorism in Africa.
Adeoye’s visit also explored wider peace and security priorities, signalling interest from both sides in expanding their relationship beyond counterterrorism.
For the AU, closer engagement with Australia could help diversify its strategic partnerships and advance cooperation on continental priorities. AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has called for stronger international partnerships that deliver practical benefits for Africa.
The visit also comes as Australia adopts a more deliberate approach to engagement with Africa. While Australian foreign policy has traditionally focused strongly on the Indo-Pacific region, growing economic and diplomatic interests in Africa are opening opportunities for increased cooperation.
Critical minerals, energy, infrastructure and trade have emerged as potential areas for collaboration, particularly where investment can support employment, economic resilience and development.
The potential for deeper economic engagement was highlighted during the Africa Down Under conference held in Perth from September 2 to 4, 2026. The conference brought together Australian and African stakeholders from the mining and energy sectors to discuss investment and other areas of cooperation.
Trade is another potential area of closer engagement. A memorandum of understanding signed in June 2025 between Australia and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat provides a framework for cooperation in trade facilitation, implementation of the AfCFTA and climate resilience.
Adeoye’s visit was initially scheduled for February but was postponed following the outbreak of the Persian Gulf crisis. Preparatory consultations between the two sides had begun in late 2025, allowing discussions to continue and a broad agenda to be developed ahead of the visit.
The engagement therefore represents an opportunity to build a wider AU-Australia relationship anchored in shared interests in security, development and economic cooperation.
For the partnership to gain momentum, future cooperation will need to remain aligned with African priorities while producing practical outcomes in areas such as counterterrorism, trade, investment, energy and infrastructure.
The visit has consequently opened a potential new chapter in relations between the AU and Australia, with security cooperation providing an entry point for a broader strategic partnership.
