Africa: Australia’s Indo-Pacific “blind spot”

How should Australia strengthen engagement with Africa?

How do perceptions of Africa influence Australia’s approach to bilateral and regional partnerships, and what opportunities might we be overlooking?

How do African nations view China? And how does China shape the dynamics of African geopolitics? 

In this episode, Babatunde Obamamoye, Matthew Neuhaus and Lisa Filipetto join David Andrews and Melissa Permezel to discuss opportunities and barriers to Africa–Australia relations and the role of perception in engagement.

Dr Babatunde Obamamoye is a sessional lecturer in the Department of International Relations at the Australian National University (ANU).  

Matthew Neuhaus is an Honorary Professor at the ANU College of Law.  

Lisa Filipetto AM is a former United Nations Assistant Secretary General, leading the UN Peace Operations Support Mission in Somalia from 2018 to 2023.  

David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). 

Dr Melissa Permezel is an Advisor at NSC’s Futures Hub and the convenor of NSC’s Africa Working Group.  

TRANSCRIPT

Show notes  

• NSC academic programs – find out more 
• Matthew Neuhaus: Australia needs to take Africa seriously – really, this time 
• Ibrahim Index of African Governance  

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