Australia Channels Over US$2bn in Aid, Including US$76.4m for Climate and Food Security in Africa
The High Commission of the Australia in Harare, Zimbabwe, hosted the Australia Day Reception in Lusaka on 25 February 2026 at Onoma Restaurant, Rhodes Park.
The event was attended by government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the private sector, civil society, international organisations, media practitioners, and members of the Australian and Zambian communities. Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science, MP, served as Guest of Honour.
In her address, H.E. Minoli Perera, Australian High Commissioner to Zimbabwe and Zambia, welcomed guests and reflected on Australia Day as a celebration of the nation’s values, including democracy, equality, fairness, mutual respect, tolerance, compassion, and resilience.
She acknowledged Australia’s 65,000-year Indigenous heritage, while noting the role of successive waves of migration, including contributions from African and Zambian communities, in shaping modern Australia.
The High Commissioner highlighted Australia’s longstanding commitment to multilateralism and global cooperation, citing its founding role in the United Nations and advocacy for UN reforms.
She outlined Australia’s contributions to development, including channelling over 40 per cent of its US$5 billion annual aid through multilateral institutions and supporting climate-responsive agriculture and food security in Africa with US$76.4 million in expanded funding.
Education initiatives were emphasised, with Australia ranked as the eighth-largest contributor to the Global Partnership for Education, investing nearly US$153 million in Zambia since 2008. Humanitarian protection and global peace efforts, including support for conflict-affected regions such as Ukraine and Sudan, were also highlighted.
Domestic leadership in digital governance was another focus. The High Commissioner referenced Australia’s recent legislation banning children under 16 from holding social media accounts, setting a global precedent in online child protection.
On bilateral relations, she reaffirmed the strong partnership between Zambia and Australia, underpinned by shared democratic values and Commonwealth membership. She noted the historic parliamentary delegation led by the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives in 2025, strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Australia’s support for Zambia’s development was underscored through initiatives such as the Australia Awards Scholarship Programme, investments in the mining sector by companies like First Quantum Minerals and Prospect Resources, and the Australian NGO Cooperation Programme, which funds projects focused on livelihoods, food security, WASH initiatives, and gender equality.
Minister Mutati congratulated the Australian Government and people on their national day and recognised 60 years of bilateral relations, citing cooperation across mining, health, education, agriculture, governance, and climate change.
He praised Australia’s contribution to human capital development and acknowledged the growth of Australian investment in Zambia’s mining sector, which now exceeds US$400 million.
The Minister also highlighted Zambia’s ambition to harness digital transformation and artificial intelligence for economic growth and employment, noting interest in learning from Australia’s AI framework.
He commended Australia’s child protection legislation regarding social media as progressive and globally noteworthy.
The Australia Day Reception in Lusaka celebrated both Australia’s national identity and the deepening partnership with Zambia. The evening concluded with a toast to continued cooperation, prosperity, and friendship between the two nations.
