Conference Program

07:45

Registration (all to be seated by 08:20)
Tea & Coffee on Arrival     

08:30

Session 1 of the Opening Day  

Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair of the Board of Directors, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business

Message from the Prime Minister of Canada

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, introduced by Nikki Clarke, National Business and Membership Manager for the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce   

H.E. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, introduced by Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair of the Board of Directors, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business

Gabriel Tshitende, Founder and CEO of Elephant Trade-Services DRC.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Africa and Pan-Geographic Affairs, Global Affairs Canada, Cheryl Urban 

09:30

Private Sector Address - B2Gold: Best Practices in Sustainable Mining in Africa and Canada: Neil Reeder, Vice President, B2Gold

10:15

Fireside Conversation: Strengthening Local Economies across Canada and Africa: Wendy Harris, President and CEO, Catalyste+.

10:30

Break         

11:00

Panel 1 - Government of Canada (Global Affairs) Panel - Impact: Opportunities for Impact-Driven Collaboration

Caroline Marrs: Director of International Partnerships at Colleges and Institutes Canada 
Sam Landon, Senior Director of Programs at WUSC
Audra Renyi, Founder and CEO of Ear Access

Moderated by Caroline Delany, Director General, Southern, Eastern and Central Africa Bureau

11:45

Panel 2 - Catalytic Action Accelerating Canada-Africa Trade and Investment    
Including Deepak Dave, Senior Advisor, Autonomi Capital and former CRO, ATIDI
Steve Tipman, Executive Director, TFO Canada   

12:15

Lunch  

13:15

Session 2 - Leadership Forum: Voices on Canada-Africa Trade & Investment   

Leading Sustainability as a ‘model’ for Canada-Africa business leadership and excellence Todd Burns, CEO, Cypher Environmental Fireside Chat
Enabling Trade & Investment: Greg Goldhawk, Retired Ambassador and Advisor Fireside Chat
Accelerating Global Education: Dr. Preetee Gopee-Vandenbroeke, Director, Transnational Projects And Business Development at Centennial College Address

15:25

Closing Remarks - Accelerating a New Era in Canada-Africa Trade and Investment  

15:30

Conclusion of the Ottawa Capital Region program       

18:00

VIP Sponsors’ Dinner, by Special Invitation: Rideau Club (concludes at 19:45)          

12:30

Registration: 333 Bay Street, Toronto

12:45

13:45

Welcome Remarks - Randy McAuley, Partner, Goodmans LLP

13:50

DRC Ministerial Forum: Market Opportunities for Trade & Investment (welcoming Hon. Louis Watum)

Mining and energy are among the many opportunities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Join us to hear first hand from the country's Ministerial leadership committed to Canada-Africa trade and investment.

15:00

15:30

Session – Enabling Prosperity for Small to Medium Size Enterprises: In Conversation

Aimable Manirakiza, CEO, Centre for Development: Great Lakes (CDE).

15:50

Panel 4 - Market Focus – Zimbabwe: Recapping the 3^rd Canada-Africa Business Conference in Harare

In addition to mining, energy and ICT, the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency has identified tourism, manufacturing and agriculture as among the key opportunities   

16:35

In Conversation: Accelerating Market Solutions: From Education to Healthcare and the Environment: Henry Lukenge, CEO and President, Nexim Heathcare Consultants

17:05

Private Company Members' & Sponsors Forum  (45-minutes)

08:30

Registration 

09:00

Opening Remarks: Nathalie Tshala Kadiombo
Co-Founder, Elephant Trade Services-DRC

Keynote Address: Theo Yameogo. EY Americas Metals & Mining Leader, EY

09:30

Natural Resource Development as a Driver of Growth: Led by Wayne Floreani, MineAfrica Inc.

Toronto Stock Exchange: Unlocking Billions for Investment across Africa

Fireside Conversation: H.E. Louis Watum, Minister of Industry and the Development of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in the Democratic Republic of Congo & former Managing Director, Ivanhoe Mines, DRC.

10:30

Coffee/Tea Break       

11:00

Panel 6 - African Union Session 
A session on engagements with the AU during this month's Chamber 2nd Annual Bilateral and VIP Reception on the occasion of H.E. Albert Muchanga's Visit to Canada.  

Dr. Segun Aina, President, Africa Fintech Network
Anowa Quarcoo, Director of Strategy at 369 Global

11:30

12:15

In Conversation:

How Innovation is Driving Growth and the Opportunities for Canada-Africa Collaboration  
KC Goundiam, founder and CEO of B2BeeMatch.com

The G20's African Presidency:
Phumudzo Ratshitanga, Acting Consul General, South Africa

12:45

Networking Lunch            

13:45

Panel 7 - Open Spotlight: Opportunities by Market, including:

Invest in Rwanda - H.E. Prosper Higiro 

Canada Nigeria Trade and Investment Expo - Bose Odueke, CEO & Mark Borkowski, Partner, Alpha International 

Long-term renewable energy solutions for projects globally - Jacob Oduyela Babatunde, CEO, Excel Plus headquartered in Lagos

15:00

Break  

15:30

Company Reflections: Hear from members on their successes and the opportunities ahead to deepen Canada-Africa trade and investment

16:30

Concluding Remarks: The Next 30 Years of Canada-Africa Trade and Investment. Garreth Bloor, President, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business

Next

See you at Africa Accelerating 2025 in the Democratic Republic of Congo!