Working title: ‘Financing the African Global Growth Engine: The Role of Mauritius as an Investment Destination & Gateway to the World’s Largest Untapped Opportunities’
Greetings,
Thank you for your interest in the Canada-Africa Business Conference in Mauritius.
This proposal outlines a potential two-day program, set for May 2026, run by The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.
We envisage the conference's opening by the President of Mauritius - if of interest to His Excellency - consistent with previous Canada-Africa Business Conferences, to which Presidents or Prime Ministers have committed to open the conference, in the various markets where we have run previous programs.
The Proposed Program
Day 1 comprises a conference program, including an Official Opening Ceremony, keynote addresses, and panel discussions, as well as a VIP Reception in the evening, or on the eve of the conference.
The program is created in conjunction with the Major Headline Sponsor, who is afforded the opening keynote address, and one panelist at each panel session of 3 speakers (panelists may include, but are not limited to suppliers, contracted partners and investors, on the invitation of the Headline Sponsor).
For an event of 120 to 150 at the main conference on Day 1, up to 50 passes are reserved exclusively for the Major Headline Conference Sponsor and their guests, including external stakeholders, investors, partners and any other designated guests of importance.
Draft Program for illustrative purposes
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08:00 |
Arrival of delegates with a Light Breakfast |
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08:30 |
Opening Ceremony, including official addresses from the Governments of Mauritius and Canada (to be invited), including invited Ministers |
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09:30 |
Keynote Address – Major Headline Sponsor |
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10:00 |
Panel 1: Financing the World’s Next Growth Story Using our headline sponsor’s work as a case study, we explore the role of Mauritius, its private sector and their partners, across Canada and African markets, in financing (and developing) projects across the African continent |
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10:45 |
Tea/Coffee Break |
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11:15 |
Panel 2: Sustainability and Community Development: Case Studies in Best Practice. Examples may include:
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12:00 |
Private Sector Keynote |
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12:30 |
Luncheon |
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13:30 |
Panel 3: The Catalytic Role of the Oceans Economy Following the successes in finance, we will explore opportunities in Mauritius as a port destination, exchanging best practice with Canadian peers, including the Ports of Vancouver and Montreal The ocean economy is estimated to be worth $2.3 trillion per year in goods and services, which is comparable to the size of Germany's economy. Today’s ocean economy provides livelihoods for about 3 billion people, with most living in developing countries, including and comprising numerous African markets |
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14:30 |
Panel 4: African Success Stories for Global Application – Insights from business leaders and private sector experts who’ve pioneered best practice in Mauritius |
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15:30 |
Closing Address by the Major Headline Sponsor: Mauritius: An African-built Success Template for a Sustainable, Growing Global Economy |
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16:00 |
Break for delegates to prepare for the Official VIP Reception |
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17:30 |
VIP Reception |
Day 2, comprising a Site Visit program, is reserved for corporate members and sponsors (and their guests), usually numbering 20 to 25 executives, gathering together to deepen relationships.
One option would be to visit a major tourism attraction or a development that incorporates (or can incorporate) best practice, with a Canadian partner.
Samples from previous Canada-Africa Business Conference programs are here: Nairobi, Gaborone and Harare and one following the same format, in Washington, DC. Previous Day 2 programs have included Special Economic Zones, Mining Operations and the US Congress. Upcoming conferences are confirmed in Lusaka and Windhoek.
The final dates are confirmed with the input of our Major Headline Sponsor and announced on confirmation of sponsorship (details below).
Sponsorship
| Headline Sponsor: Investment required - $75,000 |
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| Gold Sponsorship: Investment required - $50,000 |
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| Silver Sponsorship: Investment required - $25,000 |
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| $ 5000 |
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| $ 3500 |
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Outcomes:
As a Chamber of Business, our objective remains to facilitate trade and investment through world-class networking and information-sharing events
Working to identify guests at the conference, the Chamber will work with our Major Headline Sponsor to invite VIPs identified by the sponsor as important stakeholders, clients, or other designated VIPs, in line with the company or organization’s objectives for the conference.
Next Steps
To sustain our work and independence, we do not seek or accept offers of government funding in any market, including Canada. Our private sector supporters enable all we do, ensuring we deliver market-driven programming that welcomes private sector leaders and public sector guests - from CEOs and industry leaders to Heads of Government and Ministers.
Among specially government guests, we stand ready to welcome Canadian and African leaders. Should we anticipate the conference opening by the President of Mauritius and/or cabinet-level leadership from the country participating, we anticipate the prospect of counterparts from Canada, who are regular and longstanding participants at our programs in Canada and across the continent.
This conference would be a historic first to take place in Mauritius, in the context of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business’ 31-year history, taking place as we invite members and sponsors to define the next three decades of trade and investment.
Our independence and concurrent credibility have only served to enhance our position, and those of our sponsors, as vitally important leaders in accelerating trade and investment in African markets, joined by private sector counterparts from peer countries, including but not limited to the United States, the UK, and Australia.
The Major Headline Sponsor generously contributes a baseline fee of USD 75,000 which allows us to secure the venues and operational costs to plan and execute a world-class program; in turn ensuring we can welcome decision-makers and profile the vital work of private sector firms, while providing insights for best practice.
Our generous partners and Chamber sponsors cross-subsidize operations for the entire year, ensuring many thousands freely benefit from our extensive programming of regular events online. Last year was a bumper year. This year has been even bigger thus far!
Our work includes opportunities for thousands to access our exclusive online programming, alongside scholarships for hundreds to attend in-person events annually, in North American and in African markets.
Voices for trade, investment, and its supporting institutions are made possible in two ways: By great businesses in the marketplace and driving the dynamic process of economic development, as well as by all private sector leaders - who generously support our event programming.
It is for good reason that decision-makers from Presidents and Prime Ministers, through to captains of industry and the next generation of business leaders, choose the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business to engage, announce new initiatives, and expand their reach.
Yours sincerely,
Garreth Bloor
President, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business