Tánaiste to 'strengthen links with Africa' with four-day visit

Ireland has donated over €415m for humanitarian and long-term development assistance as well as support for conflict resolution and countering the impact of climate change

Tanaiste Micheal Martin (pictured) will meet Kenya’s president William Ruto and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin is beginning a four-day visit to Kenya and Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa region on Tuesday.

In the last five years Ireland has donated over €415m in bilateral funding to partners in these countries as well as to projects in other counties in this region such as Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia.

This funding targets humanitarian and long-term development assistance to vulnerable populations as well as support for conflict resolution and countering the impact of climate change.

Ireland also provided support during the devastating food and drought crisis in 2022, with this reaching €102m at its height. Last year alone Ireland spent over €85m in the region.

Mr Martin will meet with political leaders, see the impact of these development programmes and discuss growing trade links with Kenya and Ethiopia. He will meet Kenya’s president William Ruto in Nairobi on Tuesday morning.

His itinerary also includes meeting students taking part in Young Scientist Kenya which is supported by Ireland to encourage STEM education (science technology engineering and maths).

Mr Martin, who is also foreign minister, will address the regional launch of Ireland’s ‘Horn of Africa Child Wasting Programme’, which covers Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Children who are wasting away from hunger have weak immune systems which leave them vulnerable to disease and death.

On Wednesday, he will take part in Irish community events as well as trade and development events.

He will then travel to Ethiopia where he will meet Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and development partners. He will also host a reception marking 30 years of Ireland’s diplomatic presence in Ethiopia.

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Mr Martin described the visit as “significant” in strengthening Ireland’s economic, political and development ties with these countries.

“I look forward to meeting with President Ruto and Prime Minister Ahmed to discuss a range of issues, including regional security and global crises, including conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan,” he said.

“It is important that Ireland and Europe continue to strengthen our engagement and links across Africa. Ireland’s Africa Strategy highlights our commitment to building political, trade, cultural and people-to-people links across the continent. This visit is an important component of that ongoing work.” 

He highlighted Ireland’s “proud legacy” in the region saying this continues through the work of Irish AID and non-governmental organisation partners locally.

“While the impact of climate change and conflict is threatening the lives and livelihoods of many people in the region, there are also critical opportunities to build peace and bolster innovation and development,” he said.

“I look forward to meeting with political, humanitarian and development partners to discuss how Ireland can continue to contribute to this. I also look forward to meeting with members of the Irish community who continue to play an important role in both countries.”