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Start writing the country or territory name in the box. Typing more letters narrows the search. Click "go" or hit "Enter" to go to the information paper on the country or territory.
(We don't have information papers on all countries and territories.)
New Zealand’s official relations with sub-Saharan Africa are, in the main, with the Commonwealth countries of southern and eastern Africa, with South Africa being the most substantial. There is a humanitarian and development focus to many of these relationships. New Zealand also has substantive relationships with countries in North Africa.
New Zealand has a long-standing involvement in development cooperation in sub-Saharan Africa through its official development assistance programme managed by New Zealand’s agency for International Development - NZAID. The focus of the programme is on rural development and primary health care. NZAID is currently developing a new strategy for its engagement in Africa. It is expected to be finalised by March 2008. There is also provision for short-term technical assistance and support for New Zealand non-government organisations (NGOs), including Volunteer Service Abroad. Expenditure on all facets of development assistance, including scholarships, averages $20 million annually, or about 6 – 7% of the aid programme.
As part of peace building operations in Africa, New Zealand is currently providing a small number of Defence Force personnel to the United Nations (UN) mission in Sudan. In the past, New Zealand has also provided Defence Force personnel to the UN peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone and in the UN demining programme in Mozambique. Both UN missions wound down in 2005, with New Zealand withdrawing its Defence Force personnel in Sierra Leone and Mozambique in June 2005.
Trade with Africa (including North Africa) accounts for around 2 percent of New Zealand’s total global trade. Two-way trade stands at $1.47 billion with exports from New Zealand valued at around $963 million for the year ending June 2007 and imports at $507 million for the same period. Among major exports to the region were dairy, fish and other food products, casein and electrical equipment. Among major imports were petroleum products, minerals, iron and steel, vehicles and parts, tobacco, coffee and wine. In 2007, Algeria Egypt and South Africa were New Zealand’s most important markets in Africa.
New Zealand has two diplomatic missions in Africa - one in Pretoria, South Africa and one in Cairo, Egypt. The office in Zimbabwe was closed in 2000. The New Zealand High Commission in South Africa is accredited to 10 other southern and eastern African countries: Botswana; Kenya; Lesotho; Mauritius; Mozambique; Namibia; Swaziland; Tanzania; Zambia; and Zimbabwe. The New Zealand High Commission in London is responsible for relations with Nigeria. New Zealand embassies in Paris and Madrid are accredited to Algeria and Morocco respectively. The new Embassy in Cairo was officially opened by the Prime Minister Helen Clark in November 2007.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade produces and maintains information papers for certain countries and territories throughout the world. The papers countain information on the bilateral relationship and also general information on the country or territory as well as links to related information on other government websites.
The papers are intended for general information and background briefing purposes only.
Select a country from the list below to read the information paper.
| Algeria | Botswana | Egypt |
| Kenya | Libya | Morocco |
| Mozambique | Namibia | Nigeria |
| South Africa | Uganda | Zambia |
| Zimbabwe |
New Zealand has representation in the following African countries:
Representation outside the region
Read our regional travel advice for Africa [external link].
