February 2-4, 2027
The 7th Canada-Africa Business Conference builds on the success of previous conferences in Windhoek, as well as Nairobi, Harare, Lagos, Lusaka and Gaborone, among other destinations across the African continent.
The 2027 program commences on Tuesday, February 2nd with a Site Visit for Sponsors, returning on February 3rd ahead of our full-day conference program and VIP Closing Reception on Thursday, February 4th.
Draft February 4th Conference Program
Master of Ceremonies – Denver Kisting
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09:00 |
Opening Ceremony – National Anthems and the African Union Anthem – Welcome Address — H.E. the President of the Republic of Namibia (invited) – Messages from the Governments of Canada & Namibia – Address from the African Union – B2Gold Welcome Remarks |
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10:00 |
Private Sector Keynote Address — B2Gold Delivered by the President & Chief Executive Officer of B2Gold. |
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10:30 |
Break |
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11:00 |
Panel 1: “Models for Mining Success: Lessons from Namibia for the Global Future of Mining” Namibia as a study in stability, investor confidence, and long-term partnership — with lessons applicable across Africa and globally.
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11:45 |
Stand-Alone Private Sector Presentation |
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12:15 |
Luncheon |
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13:30 |
Panel 2: “Models for Mining Success: The Namibia Case Study in Delivering Bankable Projects” Profiling best practice and emerging opportunities in mining, while drawing out lessons for — and tangible benefits to — broader economic development across all sectors.
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14:30 |
Panel 3: “From Discovery to Delivery: The ‘Namibia Model’ for Building a World-Class Oil & Gas Industry” Continuing the theme of lessons from best practice in mining — what lessons and insights (and which partners) will unleash a successful oil and gas industry that follows the trailblazing of the mining industry?
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15:30 |
Panel 4: “Gateway to Growth: Namibia’s Role in Accelerated Canada-Africa Trade & Investment” – The African Continental Free Trade Agreement and market access from Namibia – Namibia’s geostrategic role in international business development — safety, economic performance, proximity, port infrastructure, regulatory stability and integration with global value chains
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16:30 |
Closing Address |
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16:45 |
Conference Concludes Delegates break ahead of the evening program. |
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17:45 |
Foundation Launch |
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18:15 |
VIP Reception |
Join us a Partner - Explore our Sponsorship Packages
Our most recent program earlier this year was a great success. See below:
Namibia’s African Success Template for Global Growth and Sustainability
The 5th Canada-Africa Business Conference was headline sponsored by B2Gold and hosted by The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, in the week preceding the Investing in African Mining Indaba.
Watch the Proceedings
February 5, 2026
| 08:00 | Arrival & Registration |
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09:00
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Opening Ceremony, including Official Addresses Government of the Republic of Namibia, Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair of the Board of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business Message from the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Mark Carney Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, Executive Director, International Relations and Trade, representing Hon. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. H.E. James Christoff, High Commissioner of Canada to the Republic of Namibia Ambassador Ben Marc Diendéré, Canada’s Special Envoy for Africa, Permanent Observer to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Garreth Bloor, President, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business Master of Ceremonies: Denver Kisting, Award-Winning Journalist and TV Presenter |
| Welcome Address - Keys to Success in Africa, the B2Gold Experience: Neil Reeder, Vice President, Government Relations, B2Gold Corp | |
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10:00
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Panel Session 1: Global Partners in Natural Resource Development John Roos, Country Manager, B2Gold Namibia Greg Hayes, Vice President, WA/Africa, Ausenco Moderator: Jeff Adams, Global Director, Uranium at Hatch |
| 10:45 | Tea/Coffee Break |
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11:15
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Panel Session 2: Sustainability and Community Development: Case Studies in Best Practice Including: Dr. Chris Brown, CEO, Namibian Chamber of Environment Craig Simmer, Regional Director: Infrastructure (AEM Region), Hatch Dr. Laurie Marker, Executive Director, Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) Moderator: Garreth Bloor, President, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business |
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12:00 |
Private Sector Keynote - Joe Lombard, Vice Chairman, Hatch |
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12:30 |
Networking Luncheon |
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13:30
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Panel Session 3: Diversification through the Catalytic Role of Natural Resource Development Discover the opportunities in Namibia's business sectors, enabled through natural resource development projects and anchored in a sustainable future. Gys Joubert, Managing Director, Gondwana Collection John Roos, Country Manager (Namibia), B2Gold Corp Moderator: Denver Kisting, Award-Winning Journalist and TV Presenter |
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14:15
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Session 4: Canada's African-focused Business Leaders & Industries Hear from prospective Canadian partners who are driving trade and investment, including in ICT and clean tech, including the vital work of the Trade Commissioner Service - supporting Canadian partners to African businesses. Alex George, Senior Trade Commissioner, Government of Canada Presentation by Mitraj Lochab, Trade Manager - Africa, Sealion Cargo |
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15:00
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Session 5: African Success Stories for Global Application – Insights from business leaders and private sector experts who’ve pioneered best practice in Namibia Explore case studies in success through partnerships undertaken to date, including the role of the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) in financing Namibia's African Success Stories, as well as the key role of shipping and logistics accelerating Canada-Africa trade and investment. Opening Remarks: Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB): Jessica Hauuanga, Chief Executive Office, NIPDB Namibia: A Global Leader Goose Mine - Canadian Growth Grounded in African Insights from Namibia In conversation with James Mnyupe, Senior Vice President Sub-Saharan Africa, thyssenkrupp Uhde Listed and Private Financing: Canada and Namibia - Model Partners for Growth and Investment (Wayne Floreani, President, MineAfrica). In conversation Wayne Floreani, President, MineAfrica Carl Joone, President & Co-Founder, Ongwe Minerals Inc |
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16:15
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Closing Keynote Address Business Partnerships in Namibia: An African-built Success Template for a Sustainable, Growing Global Economy Dr. Leake S Hangala, Non-Executive Director, Hangala Group (Pty) Ltd |
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17:00 |
VIP Reception |
Day 2 comprised B2B meetings for members in Windhoek, as well as a site visit to B2Gold's operations (by invitation to a representative of each conference sponsor).
Preceding the conference on February 4th members were invited to join an optional add-on: a golf day the Windhoek Country Club - a chance to meet fellow members and guests ahead of the official program which commenced on February 5th.
View previous Canada-Africa Business Conference programs here: Lusaka, Harare, Nairobi and Gaborone, as well as one following the same format in Washington, DC and Kolwezi, DRC.
