The Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce (AACC) confirms that, following advice from our event partner the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat [ AfCFTA ], the Australia Africa Business Summit scheduled to take place in Melbourne from 12-14 May, 2024 will be postponed.

AACC President, Duncan Harris said the decision was made after consultation with H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and is due to the event schedule taking place concurrently with other key events in Africa in the first half of the month of May.

H.E. Wamkele Mene said: “In order to ensure that the Australia-Africa Business Summit attracts the relevant stakeholders to achieve its objective of fostering further collaboration between Australia and Africa, we believe postponing the event at this time would enable us leverage on the drivers of this initiative, should we host this significant Summit at a more opportune period within the year.”

He concluded by stating “It is in our best interest to ensure a successful inaugural Summit, which is why we have to take the very difficult decision of postponing the event to secure the effective launch of this transformative and innovative Summit. He added that ‘the AfCFTA Secretariat team is readily available to support the AACC and explore options accordingly”.

The AACC will therefore confirm new dates for the inaugural Summit after conclusion of deliberations with the AfCFTA Secretariat.

We greatly regret this postponement and will liaise with all registered Speakers, Sponsors, Delegates and Exhibitors to discuss an immediate way forward.

Kind regards,

Duncan