Lusaka, Zambia
29 September 2025: Conference
30 September 2025: Members' Program
We are delighted to announce, thanks to the headline partnership of Hatch, that the 4th Canada-Africa Business Conference will take place in Zambia at the InterContinental Lusaka.
If you are a member, sponsor, or invited guest, please click here to register.
08:00 Arrival & Registration
08:30 Opening Ceremony, including high-level addresses from the Governments of the Republic of Zambia and Canada
Call to order – Garreth Bloor, President, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business
Official Welcome from The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business – Sebastian Spio-Garbrah, Special Envoy to the African Union's AfCFTA Secretariat
Welcoming Canada to Zambia, A Gateway to African Markets: Harriet Mdala,
Partner, May and Company
Official Address by the Government of Canada
Introduction of the President of the Republic of Zambia
Official Welcome by the President of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Hakainde Hichilema
09:30 Headline Conference Partner Address - Joe Lombard, Vice Chair, Hatch
10:00 Panel 1: Canada: A Global Partner in Natural Resource Development
Using Canada-Africa projects as a case study, explore the role of Canada and its African partners in mining excellence - enabled by Canada's world-class financing capabilities, and project partners.
Panelists include Welekazi Cele, Hatch Regional Director of Iron Ore in the Africa, Europe, Middle East (AEM). Moderated by Arne Weissenberger, Regional Managing Director for Africa, India and Middle East, Hatch
10:45 Tea/Coffee Break
11:15 Panel 2: Mining, Sustainability and Community Development: Case Studies in Best Practice. Examples may include:
• Natural Resources
• Agriculture
• Energy
Panelists include Charl Jooste, Regional Lead Power - Africa, India and the Middle East
Moderated by Giselle Commissiong, P.Eng, MBA, Senior Principal, Hatch Advisory
12:00 Private Sector Keynote
12:30 Luncheon
13:30 Panel 3: The Catalytic Role of Natural Resource Development
Following the successes in mining, we will explore opportunities for other sectors across Zambia.
Panelists include: Mark Haselau, Director of Projects, NMS Infrastructure Limited
Moderated by Craig Simmer, Regional director of Infrastructure for Hatch's Africa, Europe, and Middle East region
14:30 Panel 4: African Success Stories for Global Application – Insights from business leaders and private sector experts who’ve pioneered best practice
Moderated by Garreth Bloor, President, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business
15:30 Closing Keynote Address
An African-built Success Template for a Sustainable, Growing Global Economy
Sebastian Spio-Garbrah, Chamber Special Envoy to the African Union
16:00 Break for delegates to prepare for the Official Reception
17:30 Official VIP Reception till 19:30
*The program is subject to change and the latest program will be communicated to all registered delegates.
Day 2 will comprise an executive networking program for corporate members and sponsors, to deepen relationships and collaboration, facilitating trade and investment through another world-class networking and information-sharing event, under the Chatham House convention.
Chamber Headline Sponsor: Elephant Trade Services DRC
Join The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business
RSVP: zambia@canadaafrica.ca
Our previous Canada-Africa Business Conference took place in Zimbabwe and once again convened leading decision-makers to accelerate Canada-Africa trade and investment. Following our conference program on Day 1 at the Cresta Harare, members joined us on Day 2 for a site visit program focused on mining and energy at Zimplats in the Mashonaland West Province.
We thank our headline Chamber sponsor Elephant Trade-Services DRC, as well as the vitally important role of Hatch as a Headline Conference Sponsor, for the delivery of both the 3rd and 4th Canada-Africa Business Conferences.
Over two dozen Canadian companies joined the two-day program in Harare, pictured above with Zimbabwe's Minister of Finance and Investment Promotion, Hon. Mthuli Ncube
Access conference photos here and view the full proceedings:
Below: News coverage and interviews with Canadian companies
In addition to mining, energy and ICT, the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency has identified tourism, manufacturing and agriculture as among the key opportunities. At the same time, Canadian institutions are also privileged to play a significant role as partners in higher education.
Canada-Africa Business Conference Program
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07:15 |
Arrival of Delegates & Light Breakfast |
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08:00
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Opening Ceremony, including Official Addresses from the Governments of Zimbabwe and Canada, including: Garreth Bloor, President of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business His Excellency Adler Aristilde, Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Zimbabwe and Canada’s Representative to the Southern African Development Community Hon. Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance, the Republic of Zimbabwe Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair of the Board of Directors, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business Mike Morgan, CEO at Southern Africa-Canada Chamber of Commerce Private Sector Keynote Address – Joe Lombard, Vice Chairman, Hatch |
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09:15 |
Presentation: Investing in Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) by Tafadzwa Chinamo, CEO |
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09:45
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Panel 1: Natural Resource Development: A Catalyst for Growth Including: |
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10:30 |
Tea/Coffee Break |
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11:00
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Panel 2: Champions of Private Sector Growth: The roles of Energy & Infrastructure Including: |
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11:45 |
Private Sector Keynote Address: Dr Stanley Segula, Managing Director, Zimplats |
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12:30 |
Luncheon |
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13:30
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Pan-African Prosperity Outlook Session: The Potential of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA): The Vital Importance of the SADC and the Prospects for Zimbabwe Panel 3 Tich Mushayandebvu | UNIDO Country Representative | GLO/RFO/AFR/ZIM In Conversation: Accelerating a Pan-African Education Agenda In Conversation: Agriculture in Action - Insights for Business Success TED Talk: Anayah De Andrade, Founder and CEO, DRILLIT Energy & Mining |
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15:00
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Zimbabwe’s Global Success Stories – Insights on leadership and worldwide impact Brian Dodo, Founder, BMDodo Strategic Design & MAPP Africa |
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15:30 |
Closing Address: Sebastian Spio-Garbrah, Global Managing Director, DaMina Advisors & Special Envoy to the AfCFTA at The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business |
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16:00 |
Break for delegates to refresh and travel to the Ambassadorial Reception |
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17:00 |
Official Reception hosted at the Official Residence of the Ambassador of Canada to Zimbabwe and Canada’s Representative to the Southern African Development Community, His Excellency Adler Aristilde |
Day 2: Site Visit Program for Members and Sponsors to Zimplats
Among the success stories under the spotlight was Zimplats and the successful collaboration with one of Canada's leading global companies, Hatch. Zimplats is a leading mining company specializing in platinum group metals and was the focus of our Day 2 Site Visit Program.
The tour included the impressive solar farm and new smelter, showcasing Hatch's work with Zimplats as a model for Canada-Africa collaboration in Zimbabwe. 
''Hatch has a long history of working in Africa; we are committed to creating positive change by supporting local communities, fostering economic development, and protecting the environment. As a proud partner of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, and a sponsor of the Canada-Africa Business Conference, we look forward to showcasing our expertise and capabilities at the conference, and to exploring new opportunities for collaboration and innovation with all our stakeholders.''
- Joe Lombard, Vice Chairman, Hatch
“Zimbabwe was well-represented at PDAC this year, through the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA). The invitation to do business in Zimbabwe is wide open and I am excited, as a Canadian company, to respond to this call and participate in the 3rd Canada-Africa Business Conference as a sponsor of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business”
– Wayne Floreani, President and Co-Founder, MineAfrica Inc.
If you are not a member, click here for details on how to join The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.
Above photo; the 2nd Canada-Africa Business Conference took place in February this year in Nairobi
"The Canada-Africa Business Conference has reaffirmed the benefits of continuing to foster connections between Canadian and African communities... Our growing economic ties will provide even more opportunities to drive prosperity and innovation across our borders."
- Maninder Sidhu, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development
Previous Zimbabwe Program:
Zimbabwe is Open for Business (June 2021)
-Mr. Sebastian Spio-Garbrah, Fmr. Chair of the Board
‘The challenges Zimbabwe has faced are not unique to Zimbabwe. With proven reforms we've researched, there is no reason Zimbabwe could not become one of the most economically free and prosperous nations on earth. I look forward to our scheduled engagement through the Chamber with leaders in this wonderful country.'
- Fred McMahon, Director: Economic Freedom of the World, Fraser Institute