Next week, Perth will become the centre of Australia’s engagement with Africa.
Africa Down Under is the largest and best-known event of the week, but it is only one part of what will be happening. Ministers and senior government delegations from across Africa will meet with Australian federal and state ministers, DFAT, Austrade, Australian ambassadors, researchers, investors and leaders from the mining, energy and professional services sectors.
Among those attending will be Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Minerals and an accompanying delegation.
Many Australians are unaware of the level of political and commercial engagement taking place during Africa Week. Behind the conferences and public events are high-level conversations about trade, investment, energy, education, international cooperation and Australia’s future relationship with African nations.
Australia for Cedar Tanzania has earned a seat at the table, and we intend to use it.
Across five days, my schedule will run for approximately 12 to 16 hours each day. I will attend events, hold meetings and speak with people whose decisions influence how Australian organisations engage with communities across Africa.
On Monday, I will attend the Perth edition of the Clean Energy Conference, which brings together governments, investors and innovators to discuss renewable energy, critical minerals, clean mining and sustainable infrastructure across Africa and Australia.
On Tuesday, I will participate in the Australia-Africa Universities Network Forum at ECU City Campus. The Forum connects researchers, policymakers and institutional leaders to strengthen Australia-Africa cooperation in higher education and research. I will also attend the AAMEG and WA Mining Club Africa-focused luncheon at Optus Stadium.
Africa Down Under - also known as ADU - brings together African governments, Australian mining and resources companies, investors, diplomats and policymakers for three days of high-level discussion about investment and development across the continent. It is the largest and most important event on the calendar and will be the central focus of my schedule. Some of our work will also happen around it, through targeted meetings and side events where there is greater opportunity for substantive conversations with government, industry and potential partners.
Our purpose is clear: to build relationships with private-sector organisations seeking credible, locally grounded ways to deliver their ESG and CSR commitments.
Good intentions are not enough. Companies need partners who understand the local context, can work effectively with communities and governments, manage funds responsibly, deliver programmes on the ground and provide evidence of measurable outcomes.
We do not offer generic projects. Every solution is tailored to the context in which we work, responding to community priorities while aligning with the objectives, ESG commitments and reporting requirements of the corporate partner. This is how shared intent becomes practical, defensible and sustainable action.
That is the role Australia for Cedar Tanzania is equipped to play.
Two AAMEG Award finalists
This year, our work has been recognised through two finalist entries in the 2026 AAMEG Awards.
Together with Capital Limited, our financial partner for the new maternity ward at Kamanga Health Centre, we are finalists in the Excellence in Social Development category.
The maternity ward demonstrates what can be achieved when private-sector investment is combined with local knowledge, established community relationships and accountable implementation. It will significantly expand maternal and newborn healthcare capacity for rural communities in the Sengerema District of Tanzania.
Australia for Cedar Tanzania is also independently a finalist in The Change Maker Award for a Charity/Not for Profit category for SMILE, our home-based maternal and newborn healthcare programme.
SMILE brings essential antenatal and postnatal support directly to women and babies who may otherwise struggle to reach health services. It strengthens the existing community health system by combining professional care, early identification of risks, appropriate referrals and locally delivered follow-up.
The AAMEG Awards recognise Australian organisations creating meaningful and sustainable outcomes across Africa. For us, these two finalist entries demonstrate two different models for responsible private-sector engagement: investing in essential infrastructure and strengthening the community-based services that allow that infrastructure to reach more people.
Let’s meet during Africa Week
If your organisation is exploring how to deliver meaningful ESG or CSR outcomes in Africa, I would welcome a conversation.
Australia for Cedar Tanzania offers more than a project requiring financial support. We provide established local relationships, Australian governance, Tanzanian-led implementation and practical programme models across healthcare, maternal and newborn health, disability inclusion, education, women’s economic participation and community enterprise.
If you will be attending Africa Week, Africa Down Under or one of the associated events, please email to arrange a time to meet. The days will be full, but there will always be room for the right conversation
With gratitude,
Nina and the Cedar Team