As global markets undergo rapid transformation, the Canada-Africa economic corridor is emerging as one of the most dynamic spaces for investment, innovation, and sustainable growth. This Financing Forum convenes, set to convene in 2026, welcomes leading investors, institutional partners, policymakers, and project developers to explore the capital flows shaping the future of Canadian and African competitiveness—across venture capital, private equity, sovereign wealth funds. With a focus reflecting interest from members to date - including critical minerals, energy and agri-business - we welcome inputs to the program as we co-curate the forum agenda.
Background
Canada’s investment ecosystem brings world-class expertise in responsible business conduct, advanced financial services, and globally recognized standards environmental standards and governance. African markets—home to some of the fastest-growing economies and the world's most significant reserves of critical minerals—are increasingly the focus of global supply chain realignments. The convergence of these strengths creates unparalleled opportunities for cross-border investment, co-development of strategic resources, and scalable innovation.
This Forum will examine the conditions and trends driving capital formation:
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Venture Capital: Africa’s rapidly expanding startup landscape, with breakthroughs in fintech, agri-tech, clean technologies, and digital infrastructure, presents high-growth opportunities for Canadian investors seeking diversification and strategic market entry.
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Private Equity: Long-term investment appetite continues to grow, with Canadian and African private equity firms enabling resilient sectors such as energy, healthcare, logistics, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
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Sovereign Wealth Funds & Institutional Capital: The advancement of investment-protection agreements and increasing public-private cooperation opens the door for blended finance, co-investment, and collaboration with sovereign wealth funds — especially in high-impact areas like renewable energy, critical minerals, and sustainable infrastructure.
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Critical Minerals & Clean Energy: G7 Leaders announced the Critical Minerals Action Plan in Kananaskis, including the goal of securing "critical minerals supply chains from non-market policies and unfair trade practices". Collaborative Canada-Africa partnerships in copper, cobalt, lithium, nickel, platinum group metals, rare earths and clean-energy minerals offer a strate. Canada’s mining and financing expertise—combined with African resource endowment, policy momentum, and clean-energy ambition—provide the foundation for mutually beneficial value chains, from exploration to processing to clean technology deployment.
Through expert panels, project showcases, and investor-developer dialogues, this Forum highlights the frameworks, mechanisms, and partnerships required to unlock capital at scale.
Discussions will include:
- Canada-Africa investment opportunities
- Trends for de-risking investments, including prerequisites to attract institutional capital, with a focus on critical minerals and green energy
- Case studies of successful transactions across sectors
- The impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on the current and future investment outlook
As part of the Chamber’s mission to accelerate trade and investment, this event provides a platform where deals can be initiated, relationships strengthened, and strategic insights shared.
The Financing Forum reinforces the Chamber’s longstanding commitment to convening leaders who are shaping the future of economic cooperation between Canada and African markets, including our global partners from around the world.
For more info: financingforum@canadaafrica.ca