Africa Day 2023

An annual celebration of the people and cultures of this wonderful continent.

Africa Day is an annual worldwide celebration of the people, cultures and potential of this wonderful continent.

Held on 25 May each year, Africa Day is a chance for people to come together and celebrate the diversity of Africa.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) organises a programme of events each year to mark Africa Day.

2023 has been our biggest ever Africa Day celebrations in Ireland, with 30 local authorities around the country hosting a variety of events in their communities.

60th Anniversary of African Unity

Africa Day is an opportunity to remember that on 25 May in 1963, 32 African countries signed the Charter of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which later evolved into the African Union (AU).

The charter called for greater unity among African countries and supported their independence from colonialism and apartheid, and promoted economic and political cooperation. It had a vision that all people on the continent would live freely and in prosperity.

Africa Day is also an opportunity to reflect on the progress made by the African Union in achieving its goals, especially with regard to protecting the human rights and freedoms of Africans.

brightly painted mural with two different women's faces together with headdresses and ornate jewellery

Links between Ireland and Africa

Ireland shares many links with the continent of Africa, and ‘Global Ireland: Ireland’s Strategy for Africa to 2025’ sets out the Government’s approach to deepening Ireland’s political, economic, cultural and development relations with African countries.

In Budget 2023, the Government announced an increased allocation to international development aid to over €1.2 billion. Ireland’s support comprised lifesaving humanitarian aid, development assistance, and support to partners working to build peace and address climate change.

7 th

Africa Ireland Economic Forum took place June 2022

€2.80 billion

two-way trade in goods between Ireland and Africa in 2022

14

Irish Embassies on the continent of Africa

Ireland opened a new Embassy in Dakar, Senegal this year, our 1st in francophone West African, and our 14th on the continent of Africa. President Michael D. Higgins undertook an official visit to Senegal, coinciding with the opening of the Embassy in January.

The trade relationship between Ireland and Africa continues to strengthen. We hosted the 7th Africa Ireland Economic Forum last June, which showcased the significant potential for growth in mutually beneficial trade and investment between Ireland and Africa. Total two-way trade reached a record high of €7.91 billion in 2021 (the latest year for which full-year data is available). Two-way trade in goods has also reached a record level of €2.80 billion in 2022.

The COP27 conference was hosted in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2022. During the conference, Ireland continued to strengthen our leadership on climate action at COP27, in particular supporting climate adaptation and resilience in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, many of which are in Africa.

What's on around Ireland

Africa Day 2023 programme run by local authorities. Check out what's going on near you.

Africa Day logo with map of continent