John Whelan: Africa could hold key to Irish export survival

The two themes of the Africa Ireland Economic Forum — agri-business and women in business — resonated with the wide range of African and Irish businesses which gathered in the Convention Centre in Dublin last week.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, delivered the opening address, stating: “Since 2014, Ireland’s trade with Africa has increased by 13%. Irish food and drink companies have been particularly successful, with Bord Bia estimating that exports to the continent have gone up by 28% over the past two years.”