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prior to representing the Australian Gov- mineral and petroleum resources as well ships on the continent if it acted quickly.
ernment at Mining Indaba in 2017 – I as the transfer of services and technolo- He pointed out that by 2035, young
knew very little about our close mining gies and for similar exchanges to take people in Africa will outnumber young
and economic ties that exist between us place in the fields of agriculture, agribusi- people in the rest of the world. By 2050,
all,” Reynolds said. “I found it somewhat ness, and education and training.” a quarter of people on Earth will be Af-
ironic that I had to go to Cape Town to Both McGowan and Reynolds pointed rica.
meet half of West Perth but I am so glad to Africa’s growing place on the global Welborn said such compelling num-
I did.” economic stage as providing opportunity bers created commercial opportunities
Reynolds was following in the foot- for engagement to grow further. but Australian investors would have to
steps of former WA Premier Colin Bar- “Four of the fastest growing econo- change their attitudes.
nett who visited Mining Indaba in 2015, mies in the world last year were in Af- “Australia representatives in Africa
signing a MoU with Comesa during his rica,” Reynolds said. “Population growth recognise the opportunity, we have to
trip. His successor McGowan asked Min- is projected to grow from 1.2 billion to 2.4 make sure we get recognition at home
ister for Minerals & Energy Bill Johnston billion by 2050, offering a massive demo- as well,” he said. “A lot of Australian
to extend the MoU at this year’s Mining graphic dividend. economists are not focused on what is
Indaba. McGowan said the understand- “Millions of Africans every year are going to happen in Africa. It is much like
ing cemented the relationship between moving into the middle class, many ea- Australia’s lack of attention to Asia in the
WA and Africa, which had seen the state ger for the goods and services that we 70s and 80s.”
regulator help counterparts on the conti- can provide generating great two-way – Dominic Piper
nent build capacity. economic opportunities.”
“I believe it’s an important agreement,” Resolute Mining Ltd managing direc-
McGowan said. “It provides a framework tor John Welborn said Australia had the
of cooperation for capacity building in opportunity to build long-lasting relation-

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