“Building resilience into supply chains is becoming increasingly important”

Jemima Schilling, Trade and Investment Commissioner for Africa, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)

Africa’s growing population, rising consumer demand and an expanding education sector are reshaping Australia’s commercial outlook on the continent. In this interview with Bizweek, Jemima Schilling, Trade and Investment Commissioner for Africa at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), explains why Mauritius has become a strategic partner in that vision, highlighting opportunities in higher education, trade, agricultural innovation and supply-chain resilience. 

Could you tell us what brings you here today, and what you are promoting?

The Taste of Australia Unboxed event serves several important objectives for us. Naturally, we are delighted to have Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) partnering with us to showcase Australian lamb, Australian beef and premium Australian red meat. One of our key priorities is to raise awareness of the quality of Australian produce and demonstrate the many ways in which it can be used.

Beyond promoting Australian beef and lamb, we are also keen to showcase the broader range of high-quality Australian products available in Mauritius. A significant volume of Australian produce is already imported into the country, and we see considerable potential for further growth.

 

“By 2050, one in four people on the planet is expected to be African. That presents enormous potential for education partnerships, knowledge-sharing and collaboration with institutions across the continent…”

 

The event also provides an excellent opportunity to engage directly with industry stakeholders, including importers of Australian products and members of the hospitality sector. These discussions allow us to understand which Australian products are performing well in the Mauritian market, identify gaps where additional products could be introduced, and gain deeper insight into consumer demand. This, in turn, helps us identify new opportunities for Australian businesses.

While there is an important commercial aspect to our work, the partnership, collaboration and educational components are equally significant. Chef Tarek’s demonstration today is an excellent example. By exposing hospitality students to Australian products and introducing them to new cooking techniques and applications, we strengthen the relationship between Australia and Mauritius while creating opportunities for future growth.

How would you describe the response you have received in Mauritius?

The response has been phenomenal. This is my first visit to Mauritius. Although I had already seen the trade figures, which looked very encouraging on paper, experiencing first-hand the enthusiasm of suppliers and speaking directly with chefs who work with Australian beef and lamb has been incredibly inspiring. That on-the-ground perspective has been invaluable.

We are also in Mauritius this week for Curtin University’s graduation ceremony on Friday. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is witnessing first-hand the positive impact that an Australian education has on students, and the opportunities it creates for them.

Curtin University is the only Australian university with a campus in Africa. Being able to witness that impact and see the opportunities it provides for students across the region is very special for us.

Speaking about your role, could you explain your responsibilities as Austrade’s Trade and Investment Commissioner for Africa?

Certainly. Austrade’s mandate covers several areas. We attract foreign direct investment into Australia, promote Australia as a tourism destination and support the internationalisation of Australian education.

Across Africa, however, our work focuses primarily on two key priorities. The first is promoting the Study Australia brand and encouraging more students to pursue an Australian education, either in Australia itself or through Australian institutions operating in Africa, such as Curtin University in Mauritius.

We also work to establish partnerships with universities across the continent. A major focus of our discussions this week has been identifying opportunities for Australian institutions to collaborate with local universities, enabling Australian curricula to be delivered locally while building skills, capability and knowledge-sharing.

The second priority is supporting Australian businesses seeking to export to, or expand within, African markets. For companies already operating in Mauritius, we explore opportunities to grow into neighbouring markets. At the same time, Australian businesses looking to enter Mauritius or East Africa rely on us to identify suitable distributors, provide market intelligence and support their market-entry strategies.

That is one of the reasons why today’s event is so valuable. It enables us to connect Australian businesses with potential partners while showcasing the quality of Australian products to prospective buyers and strengthening Australia’s commercial presence across the region.

Which sectors are attracting the greatest interest from Australian businesses across Africa?

Australia has traditionally had its strongest presence in Africa through the mining and extractives sector. It is an industry for which Australia is internationally recognised, not only in mining itself but also in mining equipment, technology and services (METS). A significant proportion of our work across the continent focuses on supporting Australian expertise in this field.

 

“Beyond education, the volume of Australian products entering Mauritius is remarkable.”

 

Education is another major area of interest. There is strong demand for Australian education, and the opportunities continue to grow. By 2050, one in four people on the planet is expected to be African. That presents enormous potential for education partnerships, knowledge-sharing and collaboration with institutions across the continent, while promoting the Study Australia brand.

The same demographic trends also create significant opportunities for Australian exporters. Africa represents a rapidly expanding consumer market, making premium Australian products, including food, wine and other high-quality consumer goods, increasingly attractive.

Food security is another priority for many African governments, including Mauritius. Australia has considerable expertise in agricultural technology, modern farming practices and innovation. We see significant opportunities to share that knowledge through partnerships that combine education with practical agricultural solutions.

Another promising sector is healthcare. Australia has developed world-class medical technologies, including products such as cochlear hearing implants, ResMed sleep health solutions and a range of digital health technologies. These are areas where we see considerable potential for future collaboration across Africa.

Africa is widely regarded as the continent of future opportunity. How does Mauritius fit into Australia’s broader strategy for engaging with Africa? You have already mentioned education several times…

Education is probably the easiest example to illustrate. Curtin University’s campus in Mauritius plays a very important role in Australia’s engagement with Africa. Whenever I speak with school students and their parents across the continent, we promote Curtin Mauritius as an opportunity to obtain a quality Australian education without having to leave Africa.

For many families, that is particularly attractive. It offers a more affordable option while allowing students to remain much closer to home. Australia is geographically distant, whereas Mauritius is far more accessible for many African countries.

Kenya remains our largest source of African students studying in Australia, with around 10,000 Kenyan students enrolled at any one time, and approximately 5,000 new students commencing their studies each year. Alongside those opportunities, we are increasingly promoting Curtin Mauritius as an alternative for students who prefer to remain within the region while still receiving an Australian education.

Mauritius is also one of our strongest education markets. We have just under 2,000 new students beginning Australian programmes each year, making the country an important hub for educational collaboration.

Beyond education, the volume of Australian products entering Mauritius is remarkable. It demonstrates the strength of the market and provides an excellent model that we hope to replicate elsewhere across Africa.

In fact, I travelled here with an empty suitcase because there are Australian products available in Mauritius that are difficult to find elsewhere in East Africa. I intend to take some of those products back with me. It is another example of how successful Australian brands have become in this market, and why we believe that success can be replicated across the continent.

What would you say are the main takeaways from your visit to Mauritius?

This is my first visit to Mauritius, and I have only been here for two and a half days, so my impressions are still developing. However, I have already been genuinely impressed by the level of support for Australian products. It has been incredibly encouraging to see how familiar executive chefs and members of the judging panel are with Australian produce and the strength of its brand recognition within the Mauritian market.

I have also been struck by the number of opportunities available for us to build on this success in the future.

Although I have not yet had the opportunity to sample the dishes myself, seeing the level of activity in the kitchen and the enthusiasm shown during Chef Tarek’s demonstration has been inspiring. It highlights the strength of Mauritius’ hospitality sector and the potential for Australia and Mauritius to continue working together to develop skills, strengthen partnerships and create new opportunities.

Given the current situation in the Middle East, do you believe Mauritius could serve as an alternative gateway for Australian products?

There is certainly potential. More broadly, recent developments in global trade and investment have reinforced the importance of diversifying trade routes and ensuring that goods can reach markets through multiple pathways. Building resilience into supply chains is becoming increasingly important.

The current situation has affected international trade in several ways, including freight availability, shipping costs and insurance uncertainty. Exporters are also facing reduced transport capacity and higher operating costs.

During my discussions here today, we have explored the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) and how it could facilitate the movement of Australian goods. However, I have only been in Mauritius for two and a half days, so these conversations are still at a very early stage.

One significant advantage is the direct air connection between Perth and Mauritius, which provides an important opportunity to explore new trade pathways.

In the current global environment, businesses need to remain resilient and competitive by considering alternative supply chains and market access routes. We are continually looking at different options that can support Australian exporters. About a month ago, the Australian Government launched its Trade Resilience Service, which provides Australian exporters with practical advice on alternative trade routes and strategies to help them manage ongoing global disruptions.

Finally, do you have a message for our readers?

We are incredibly grateful to be here. This event would not have been possible without the support of the Australian High Commission, Meat & Livestock Australia, our suppliers, the hotel and the hospitality school. Every organisation involved has played an important role in making today possible. Delivering an event like this is truly a collaborative effort, and I am sincerely grateful for the commitment shown by all our partners.

From everything I have seen so far, I am confident that today’s event will be a success and will help strengthen the trading relationship between Australia and Mauritius in the years ahead.