October 6-7, Toronto
Members please register here (for guests, single delegate passes are available here)
View Partnership Packages for Private Sector Sponsors
Register for the Interactive Livebroadcast
Africa Accelerating is a flagship thought-leadership and engagement program of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, focused on advancing practical trade, investment, and commercial partnerships between Canada and African markets. We look forward to once again convening senior business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and institutions to accelerate trade and investment; including members and guests from Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Ethiopia and South Africa, among other dynamic markets across the continent.
Africa Accelerating welcomes the participation of government leaders and its representatives as valued VIP guests and contributors to the dialogue. Thanks to private sector leaders, the initiative is proudly independent and neither seeks or nor accept any taxpayer grant funding. Our work is sustained through private-sector leadership, membership and the support of our partners, under the oversight our Board of Directors.
The Canada-based proceedings will take place on October 6-7 in Toronto's financial district at Goodmans LLP, Bay Adelaide Centre, 333 Bay Street. The program is subject to change and final details will be communicated with all delegates.
Day 1: Tuesday, October 6 — VIP Reception Program
| 09:00 | B2B Meetings & Member Engagements |
| 16:00 | Members' Roundtable |
| 17:15 |
VIP Reception Celebrating the recent Launch of the Africa Edition of 3 Magazine in Nairobi Official Welcome Ret. Ambassador Paula Caldwell St-Onge Remarks Muraly Srinarayanathas |
Day 2: Wednesday, October 7 — Conference Program
| 08:00 | Registration, Arrival & Networking |
| 09:00 |
Opening Ceremony Welcome Ret. Ambassador Paula Caldwell St-Onge Official Government of Canada Address Cheryl Urban Host Remarks Randy McAuley |
| 09:30 |
Keynote Conference Address Kennedy Okwudili |
| 10:00 |
Session 1: Financing the Global Growth Engine Following the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference in Nigeria, meet key players accelerating trade and investment. Panelists Carlos Rojas-Arbulú Steve Tipman Jacquelyne Yawa Moderator Dr. Chinedu Zephaniah |
| 11:00 | Coffee/Tea Break |
| 11:15 |
Session 2: Building the Canada-Africa Legacy (Pan-Sectoral) Explore the companies and projects defining the next chapter of accelerated Canada-Africa trade and investment, through best practice grounded in sound economics. Panelists Sam Alonge Muraly Srinarayanathas |
| 12:00 |
Private Sector Address: Reflections on Decades of Canadian Success in African Markets Delivering Major Projects Neil Reeder |
| 12:30 | Luncheon |
| 13:30 |
Session 3: Entrepreneurship and Policy Catalyzing Growth through Digital Solutions for Sustainable Ventures and Cross-Border Partnerships, ahead of our upcoming Canada-Africa Forum in Montreal. Panelists Prof. Yolande Chan (Virtual) Sabaa Quao Perpetual Napoga Nin-yenle Alika Arpin Moderator Garreth Bloor |
| 14:30 |
Session 4: Business Solutions for Local Development Overview Sivan Yaari Research Fellow Remarks Princesse Tshitende Fireside Chat Jen MacBruce |
| 15:10 | Coffee/Tea Break |
| 15:20 |
Session 5: Spotlight on Kenya and East Africa Following our September 2026 program in Nairobi, including the Canada-Kenya Trade & Investment Dinner, we are pleased to profile opportunities received and referred by and from members. Speakers H.E. Nathif Jama Adam Susan Namulindwa Closing Remarks Ramadhani Ponda |
| 16:00 |
Announcement Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, PhD |
| 16:10 |
Concluding Reflections: African Insights in Support of Canada's Trade Diversification — The Way Forward Jacques NdoutouMvé |
| 16:15 | Official End & Toast to the Upcoming 7th Canada-Africa Business Conference in Windhoek, Namibia |
Our planned follow-on DRC program will be scheduled subject to the Government of Canada’s ongoing travel advisories affecting return travel to Canada.
Following last year's Africa Accelerating conference in Canada, members and sponsors travelled onward to Zambia, for our two-day program in Lusaka's Central Business District, followed by our first ever Canada-Africa Forum in Lilayi. View Africa Accelerating 2025
Planned DRC Program for Members
Day 3: VIP Reception, Kinshasa
Day 4: Afternoon Seminar, Kolwezi
Day 5: Site Visit, Lualaba Province
The detailed program is available to all members.
Hon. Louis Watum Kabamba, the Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will welcome members and delegates in the DRC at the Opening Reception. Hon. Watum delivered the Ministerial Address during our 2026 Africa Program at PDAC, and was a corporate member of the Chamber prior to his current tenure of public service.
"At PDAC I saw firsthand how Canadian leadership alongside technical expertise helps grow inclusive and responsible mining globally. By integrating our international development partnerships with mining expertise, Canada is well positioned to generate economic and social benefits for people at home and around the world."
- Hon. Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State, Canada (International Development)