Australia seeks stronger ties with Kenya through sports, trade and culture

Australia is seeking stronger ties through sports, trade and culture.

This was confirmed on April 16 when the Australian High Commission in Nairobi capped off an exceptional week of international women’s football with a ‘Taste of Australia barbecue to mark Australia Day.

On April 15, Australia’s National women’s football team, the Matildas, played against the Harambee Starlets in Nairobi.

It was the first time Kenya had hosted a Women’s FIFA Series tournament and the first time the Matildas had played in Africa.

According to Australia High Commissioner to Kenya, Jenny Da Rin, sports bring people together builds bridges across cultures and geography. 

“Our connection through our people-to-people links, our growing business and trade ties, our shared values and our common interests. And of course, our shared passion for sport,” said Ms Rin.

The afternoon Taste of Australia event introduced Australian flavours through a curated showcase of wines and food products that define Australia’s contemporary culinary identity.

The event was held in partnership with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) to promote its world-class wines and products, which Australia exports around the world 

The Austrade leads Australia’s commercial and economic engagement in Kenya and promotes opportunities for expanded collaboration across priority sectors.

Guests were able to sample Australia’s selection of wines from leading Australian wine-growing regions, gins, alongside flavour profiles incorporated into the barbecue.

“It has been a big week for Kenya- Australia relations, with the first-ever visit by the Matildas to Africa and with a Taste of Australia showcase. Today, we are celebrating this partnership by sharing our culture and highlighting our world-class products,” said Ms Rin.

She added, “Australia is ready to connect capability with opportunity in ways that benefit the two countries and the momentum in the trade relationships shows great potential.”

The envoy said Australia and Kenya enjoy an important and longstanding partnership and this relationship continues to grow, propelled by common interests in commerce, innovation, skills exchange, and sustainable development.

“As both countries pursue these priorities, Australia remains committed to partnerships that deliver tangible and mutual benefits,” she said.

She said Kenya and Australia’s two-way trade is growing strongly, now over USD1 billion(Sh129.2 billion) per year and Kenya is now Australia’s second largest trading partner in Africa and citizens are the largest cohort of international students from Africa.

The envoy said mining in Kenya is where Australia is looking to explore collaboration to unlock resources and make a strategic contribution to global supply chains.

She said that across Africa, Australian mining firms have invested around USD60 billion to develop mineral resources.

Chief guest Harry Kimutai, Principal Secretary, State Department for Mining, said the two countries have enjoyed cordial relations since the establishment of the diplomatic ties over six decades ago.

“The establishment of the recent missions in our respective countries, the Australian High Commission in 1965 in Nairobi and the Kenya High Commission in Canberra in 1984, reaffirmed the commitment of both countries in strengthening bilateral relations and Today our cooperation spans key sectors including education, capacity building, and specifically in mining, agriculture, trade and tourism,” said Kimutai.

He added: “Indeed, there is immense potential for both countries to deepen their cooperation for mutual benefits, while the current trade balance is as stable as Australia as it does have. Kenya views this as an opportunity to expand investment in goods and services, including in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, education, blue economy and hospitality.”

The PS said that currently, Kenya has a student population of over 8,500 in Australia, ranking in the top 20 in the national student population in Australia.

“Furthermore, our diaspora committee in Australia, estimated at approximately 20,500, has contributed significantly to the Kenyan economy.

“Australia is now one of the fastest growing sources of diaspora immigrants, recording USD 184.13 million(Sh23.7 billion) in 2024 and the projections indicating continued growth in 2025  represent the strength of our immigrants as a future leader of our economy and the potential to further strengthen Kenya, Australia and the world population,” he said.