Submission to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs
January 27, 2026
In my experience as Chamber President, Canada is seen as a partner of choice by many in African markets. This perception is not based solely on what Canada can offer commercially—which is central to our work as a Chamber—but also on who we are as a country.
Even in a national context of competing budget priorities and fiscal constraints, I do not believe that trade and investment success in Africa need be dependent on large amounts of taxpayer funding or subsidies. Rather, meaningful commercial progress comes from consistent, credible engagement in trade and investment, alongside being the strongest partner we can be as a country. In the current global context, including Canada's economic diversification objectives, the opportunities for Canada–Africa trade and investment are significant.
Several African economies have outpaced global growth for some time, and the potential remains significant for Canada—particularly in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, natural resources, energy and education. These areas are by no means the only sectors where Canada has demonstrated global leadership through the private sector, though important contributions in these areas have been profiled to date during our engagements.
This year, we are planning event programs in Namibia, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the last few years, we have held events in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, the DRC, and Botswana, and are actively exploring programs in Nigeria, Mauritius, Tanzania and Ghana.
As a Chamber, we are committed to playing the strongest role we can to accelerate trade and investment through world-class networking and information-sharing events, as per our mission. Our organization is funded entirely by private sector sponsors operating in both Canada and Africa. We work hand-in-hand with the Trade Commissioner Service and our Canadian Missions in Africa, complementing their efforts – wherever we can - through a convening power that welcomes Heads of State and their designates on the one hand, through to leading CEOs and emerging entrepreneurs on the other.
Canada’s Africa Strategy has provided a foundation for information-sharing. It has helped shape dialogue at our conferences as a framework through which businesses can better understand the strategic approach and policy perspectives of the Government of Canada.
Private companies will naturally hold their own views on what constitutes a supportive business environment and how they can meaningfully contribute to the Africa Strategy. We do not speak on behalf of our members. Rather, consistent with our mission, we provide a forum for them to engage with peers and decision-makers on strategic and policy matters, alongside the networking that supports business development and economic growth.
We have seen companies respond positively to this foundation, supporting further programming both in Canada and across the African continent, after PS Oliphant called for more trade missions, on the occasion of the launch of the Africa Strategy a year ago.
Following the launch of the Africa Strategy, the Chamber was pleased to announce trade missions to Zambia last year, and to Namibia in the coming days - among various upcoming programs across African markets and throughout Canada.
As Chamber President, I have valued the opportunity to engage with members and conference delegates on how existing efforts may align with (and contribute to) the aspirations set out in the Strategy, in the spirit of 'Team Canada'. My address to our recent Annual General Meeting reflected in greater detail on each of the five pillars and what we've heard in relation to each from the perspective of participants in our programs.
Next week, we will be in Windhoek, Namibia for the 5th Canada–Africa Business Conference, with more than 50 representatives from Canadian companies and organizations. We have found it increasingly beneficial to host these conferences on the African continent. This is partly due to practical considerations like visa constraints, but more importantly because proximity to key opportunities matters. The presence of Canadian businesses on the ground sends a powerful signal of seriousness, commitment, and excellence.
Inbound investment into Canada also remains an important component of the broader trade and investment relationship.
Canada’s experience in free trade is also highly relevant in the African context. There is strong interest from African partners - including through our regular bilateral engagements with the African Union Commission - in Canadian expertise related to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Canada is viewed as a trusted third party—something I have personally witnessed through participation in bilateral discussions we have hosted with the African Union’s 12th Extraordinary Summit on AfCFTA, which heralded the formal proclamation and commencement of the operational phase of this free trade agreement.
Finally, I believe it is essential to include emerging entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises in trade and investment opportunities. To this end, a majority of participants in our programs attend at no cost, enabled through cross-subsidization made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and the contributions of our volunteer board leadership and senior advisory council.
It is a privilege to contribute to the mission of accelerating Canada–Africa trade and investment through market-driven, world-class networking and information-sharing programs.