Our final day in Toronto commenced with a recap of the past two days of programming. The Opening Remarks, delivered by Nathalie Tshala Kadiombo, Co-Founder of Elephant Trade Services-DRC, expressed thanks to the Chamber for its work and assurances of ongoing support. In recognition of the company's headline sponsorship during our 30th Anniversary and into 2025, Nathalie Tshala Kadiombo, was presented with a framed copy of Prime Minister' Trudeau's opening remarks shared in Ottawa at the start of the program.
Opening remarks were followed by a Keynote Address from Theo Yameogo. EY's Americas Metals & Mining Leader, EY, who graciously hosted the concluding day of Africa Accelerating 2024. Yameogo has been actively delivering and supporting the readiness and performance of the mining and minerals sector for the ongoing energy transition.
Our first session, Natural Resource Development as a Driver of Growth, was led Wayne Floreani, co-founder and President of MineAfrica Inc.
The session including discussions on the vital role of the Toronto Stock Exchange in financing natural resource development, as well as the central importance of PDAC in natural resource development in African markets, Canada and around the world.
The session included a Fireside Conversation that welcomed H.E. Louis Watum back to the stage. Following the previous day's interview focused on his role as Minister of Industry and the Development of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Day 3's conversation focused on Watum's business leadership experience, including as a former Managing Director at Ivanhoe Mines, DRC.
Panel 6, the African Union Session focused on outcomes of the AU engagements 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 and Anowa Quarcoo, Director of Strategy at 369 Global, joined Chamber President Garreth Bloor in discussions around the regulatory frameworks required to unleash the potential of the AfCTFA.
The conversations on-stage continued into the next session, with a focus on How Innovation is Driving Growth and the Opportunities for Canada-Africa Collaboration. KC Goundiam, founder and CEO of B2BeeMatch.com was welcomed to the stage to share her perspectives, including how she settled on Canada as a base, and African markets as her focus, following a career spanning the globe.
Concluding the morning sessions, The G20's African Presidency focused on the implications for Africa and Canada-Africa trade and investment, with the ascension of South Africa to the Presidency of the G20. Phumudzo Ratshitanga, Acting Consul General, South Africa, shared his insights on what to expect from the world's "premier global forum for discussing economic issues," as described by some.
Through dozens of programs each year, we seek to cover opportunists in every market. Our post-lunch session was no different - focused on Rwanda and Nigeria.
With a deck of major opportunities and dealflow, H.E. Prosper Higiro's presentation, Invest in Rwanda, covered opportunities across multiple sectors.
Turning to the next major program in the Canada-Africa calendar, the Canada Nigeria Trade and Investment Expo was under the spotlight. Bose Odueke, CEO of Alpha International, & Mark Borkowski, a Partner at the firm provided a briefing on the upcoming event in Toronto.
In closing, we had the privilege of profiling our member companies and the great work they are doing.
Long-term renewable energy solutions for projects globally was the focus of Jacob Oduyela Babatunde's address. The founder and CEO of Excel Plus, headquartered in Nigeria, has expanded to Canada. Excel Plus is focused on reducing operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions – in some cases by over 90 percent – whilst maintaining energy resilience on-site.
‘’It is exciting to see firms like Excel Plus join the Chamber, advancing market-driven solutions to energy demands, through their operations,’’ said Garreth Bloor, President of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, during discussions with company’s Lagos-based leadership.
Bishworld, a Goma-based company was also profiled: providing exceptional services and solutions to the merchandising, construction, agriculture, automotive, logistics, consulting, grouting, blasting, drilling and mining, the firm has been a Chamber member since 2023.
"Motivated by the idea of centralizing skills by working in synergy with other local and foreign partners, Bishword companies seek to maximize revenues while limiting costs and commercial risks," says Bienfait Lunda, the company founder.
"Leaders like Bienfait, who I was privileged to accompany on a road trip through the DRC with our Board Chair, lives out Canada-Africa collaboration," said Bloor.
"It is fitting that among our upcoming events, the DRC is firmly on the agenda. As with all markets across the dynamic African continent, my message to Canadian business remains the same: come see for yourself!".
See you at Africa Accelerating 2025 in the Democratic Republic of Congo!
View all Recent and Upcoming Events here
