It sounds perfectly plausible on first read but needs to be considered through the filter of African ministers speaking at the event demonstrating no real propensity for change in their messages to delegates – it still very much appears that the “our time to feast” mentality of old dominates.

The other bizarre fact to keep in mind is that when Rudd made his statement last year he was minister for nothing, simply a local member – and his presentation at a pro-Africa event was in the main about China.

That aside, Gray’s presentation at the event – and remarks at the associated ministerial dinner on the first night – were well received by African and Australian delegates alike.

Gray said the Africa of today was a vastly different continent from even 10 years ago.

“Peace, followed by political, economic and financial reforms have laid the foundations for economic growth and fundamental to this economic growth is the strongly performing resource sector of Africa,” he said.

“Australia is a great mining country and continent.

“We have some of the best mining practices, practitioners, governance and environmental standards to support development. But we do not know it all.

“We have skills, experience and technology and we’re sharing those skills, technology and that experience where it is wanted – with Africa.”

Seven of the top 10 fastest growing companies of the past decade in Western Australia have assets in Africa, with Perth being the obvious gateway for this investment.

Many long-standing conflicts had been resolved, according to Gray and there was renewed confidence in the continent.

He said political and economic reforms had set the stage for encouraging strong economic growth.

In 2012, half of the world’s top 10 fastest growing economies were in Africa.

According to the World Bank, in 2012 about a quarter of the nations in Africa had achieved economic growth of 7% or higher.

A number of African economies, such as Sierra Leone, Niger, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Rwanda, are among the fastest growing in the world.

“While investment in the African resources industry accounts for 24% of recent GDP growth, the resources boom of Africa is just one part of the story of recent economic growth and development of the continent,” Gray said.

“Other sectors have also contributed – wholesale and retail trade, transportation, telecommunications and manufacturing.

“Another part of the African story into the coming decades will be increasing urbanisation.

“Thirty years ago, African cities held only 28% of the continent’s population. Now – 40% of Africans live in cities.”

The resource industry has the potential to drive Africa’s growth for the next 10 years if industry sources have got their forecasting correct on this.

The World Bank predicts that by 2020 all but a handful of countries in Africa will have mining or resource development of some kind.

“Those of us gathered here today have an opportunity over the next 10 years to develop these resources for the benefit of the people of your nations, of Africa and the world,” Gray said.

“Australia has been an important investor in African resources.”

About 200 Australia-listed mining companies are investing in more than 700 projects in 42 African countries.

“So there is an opportunity for Australia to demonstrate our willingness to work in partnership with the governments and the people of Africa – to embrace Africa’s mining sector as a focus for Australian investment,” Gray said.

“Companies must recognise they are building partnerships with sovereign nations.

“African governments recognise the skills and expertise Australian companies can bring to mining partnerships.”

To realise their potential, according to Gray, countries must raise capital to attract new projects and for this to become a reality, regulatory transparency and predictability were essential – particularly in relation to mining titles, leases and licences.

“Transparency in the workings of government and business is essential to good governance,” he said.

“Effective governance arrangements are essential to encourage growth and investment.

“Community and investor confidence in industry is as much about a stable governance structure, as the demonstration of a reasonable rate of return.

“Mining can do this in ways that are responsible and rewarding and in ways that make us proud.”