A vibrant event highlighting the strong and evolving relationship

On May 31, 2024, the Africa Day celebration in Jakarta was held with grandeur and enthusiasm at the Hotel Borobudur. Organized by the African ambassadors in Indonesia, the event drew significant attention from various dignitaries, including Indonesia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, senior officials from Parliament, government departments, and many Indonesian friends of Africa.

In his opening speech, the Dean of African Ambassadors and Moroccan Ambassador to Indonesia, Ouadia Benabdellah, emphasized the strengthening ties between Africa and Indonesia. He congratulated President-elect Mr. Prabowo and his running mate Mr. Gibran on their successful election process and expressed hope for continued development in the relationship between Indonesia and Africa.

Benabdellah also highlighted future collaborations, praising Indonesia's initiative to host the second Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali in September 2024, themed "Bandung Spirit for Africa Agenda 2063." This forum is expected to attract 800 participants and focus on achieving tangible sustainable development goals.

Minister Dito, in his speech, praised the long-standing relationship between Indonesia and Africa, which began with the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung. He emphasized that for Indonesia, Asia and Africa are brothers who have fought together for independence. Indonesia's desire to fight against colonialism and promote economic and cultural relations between the two continents was evident through the conference.

Trade relations between Indonesia and Africa have experienced significant growth. According to Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS), bilateral trade reached USD 16.71 billion last year, with Indonesia exporting goods worth USD 6.85 billion to Africa and importing USD 9.85 billion from the continent.

Indonesian leaders have been proactive in strengthening these ties. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s visits to Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa in August 2023, and Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi’s visit to Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco in December 2023, exemplify this commitment. Additionally, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Ethiopia, and Rwanda have recently opened embassies in Jakarta, bringing the total number of African embassies in Indonesia to 28.

Africa Day, celebrated annually on May 25, commemorates the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, which later became the African Union (AU) in 2002. This year's theme, “Education Fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa,” underscores the crucial role of education in Africa's socioeconomic transformation.

The Africa Day celebration in Jakarta was a vibrant display of unity, featuring diverse arts, music, and cuisine from various African nations, fostering cultural exchange and friendship. This event not only strengthened the relationship between Indonesia and Africa but also opened opportunities for future collaborations to achieve sustainable and inclusive development goals.

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