Scott Morriss

Trade and Investment Commissioner, Africa

Photograph of Scott Morriss

Scott Morriss is Trade Commissioner for Africa, working for the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). Austrade is the Australian Government’s trade and investment development agency and is responsible for advancing Australia's international trade, investment and education interests in Africa.

Scott oversees Austrade’s trade and investment promotion and facilitation work across Africa – assisting Australian businesses access the world fastest growing and most dynamic market place! He leads a team of eight highly qualified and experienced Business Development Managers (BDMs) based in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Morocco. Scott and the Austrade Team in Africa have a particular focus on resources, METS and energy related opportunities as well as Education, Food and Agribusiness and Fintech.

Scott arrived in Africa in May 2021, having spent the last four years in Tokyo Japan as a Trade Commissioner. He and his Japan team were responsible for Advanced Technology, Services, Education, Defence Industry and Advanced Manufacturing sectors. Key initiatives Scott and his Team in Japan were proud of progressing during his time in Tokyo include developing a highly successful new approach to attraction of R&D investment dollars into Australia; joining Australia’s leading cyber companies and universities to commercial, government and academic networks in Japan - delivering export sales and an increased cyber profile for Australia; and positioning a number of Australian companies for future success in key Japanese and Australian defence programs.

Scott joined Austrade in 2017 after a 27 year career in the Australian Navy during which he served overseas in operational roles in the Middle East and represented Australia to Japan as Assistant Defence Attaché from 2012 to 2015. Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Communications from the University of Canberra and is married to Anna. He enjoys reading on history, wine appreciation, travel and golf.