December 2022
Dear Members and Friends,
As the year draws to a close, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business is pleased to applaud this year's Class of 2022 interns.
Working with McGill University's Mastercard Foundation Transitions Project, the internship program specially provides the opportunity for emerging leaders in Canada-Africa trade and investment to develop their skills and networks through world-class events, with an ongoing professional development program.
Under the mentorship and guidance of Toye Abioye (Member Development) and Samantha Mandigora (Head of Operations) the internship has been described as life-changing by the dynamic emerging leaders of 2022. We thank Dr. Nii Addy of McGill University for his central role in the second year of this growing program. The words of the members of this year's cohort themselves say it best:
Liz Thomas
“Working with the Chamber was not only instrumental to accumulating experience that we are applying in different capacities at work but also in the building and leadership of the new venture created, AfriVate Hub Ltd. Working closely with the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business has fulfilled my need to stay connected with the continent of Africa. That I am able to view the landscape from the private sector to governments is invaluable.”
Doreen Kiprono
“Interning at the Canada-Africa Chamber was an extremely rewarding experience. I was taken under the wing of phenomenal mentors who allowed me to explore my skills and build my strengths further not just in core areas such as research where I thrive in but also learning how to build my entrepreneurial acumen. I will always be thankful for all the experiences and meaningful opportunities the Chamber afforded me.”
Ferdinand Ochor
“My experience so far has been nothing short of thrilling and enlightening. Through the quality of networks and information the Chamber provides, I have grown my experience and knowledge in the field of business. In these periods of six months, the Chamber has facilitated the founding of AfriVate Hub which is a social enterprise that two of my fellow interns and I founded in August 2022. I have been part of information-sharing sessions that involved hundreds of youths across Africa and Canada, and I have also been given the opportunity to present at the Africa Accelerating conference.”
Learn more about their newly launched social enterprise, AfriVate Hub Ltd including recaps of their youth-focused webinars and fireside chat session during Africa Accelerating 2022.
“We continually seek avenues to develop appropriate global networks that provide transformative experiential learning opportunities through this internship model. This program assists with the successful transitioning of our youths into the workplace and the development entrepreneurial skills, aligned to the mission of accelerating Canada-Africa trade and investment through world-class networking and information sharing events,” says Toye Abioye, Head of Membership.
Without our sponsors this work could not happen. By cross-subsidizing initiatives and opportunities that benefit thousands across hundreds of events, the Chamber’s sponsors are at the core our ability to deliver.
Once again, thank you to our sponsors for 2022 who have unlocked incredible success. In addition to our headline sponsor this year, Ivanhoe Mines, we are immensely grateful to all Diamond Sponsors: 6ix, Ausenco, B2Gold, Ethiopian Airlines, Goodmans LLP, Hatch, Lucara Diamond, MineAfrica Inc and MEC Capital.
We also recognize our partners who have been critical, especially for Africa Accelerating 2022: Global Affairs Canada, the Southern Africa-Canada Chamber of Commerce and the Africa Trade Desk.
Once again, APO Group has served as our official media partner, delivering millions in media value, measured by PR exposure, across hundreds of news sources - for every Chamber press release. As stated during Africa Accelerating 2022 by the Chamber President: “I wish to applaud APO’s incredible work on the continent accelerating trade and investment as the leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service - providing turnkey solutions that empower companies to grow their business on the African continent.” Read More
Briefing: Our programming with MineAfrica during PDAC, 15 December 2022 (Virtual) Français
You are invited to a one-hour Zoom briefing session on how you can promote your country, company, African mining project, product or services at the biggest African mining event in North America, this March 5-8, 2023, during PDAC in Toronto.
Our first session yesterday welcomed from across Canada and the continent.
The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention and Trade Show returns to its regular time in March 5-8, 2023 and we are pleased to offer you a number of exciting participation options at the biggest mining investment show in the world, including:
- Custom booth space at the PDAC Trade Show from March 5-8, 2023.
- Participation in the biggest African mining event in North America – “The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business 24th Annual African Mining Breakfast & MineAfrica’s 21st Investing in African Mining Seminar” on March 7, 2023 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
- Participation in our 11th Panel Discussion on Africa’s Mining Industry on March 5, 2023.
- Participation in our 3-day MASTERMINING course “Understanding the Mining Industry” From A to Z from March 2-4, 2023
Join us on Thursday December 15 at 9:30 AM EST, for a one-hour virtual briefing and Q&A session on our African program offerings for governments, mining companies, equipment suppliers, services providers and NGO's and associations during PDAC and how you can participate.
To confirm your participation in one of the two briefings please email wayne@mineafrica.com indicating your preferred date.
To see the highlights from last year’s events including the seminar program, African Mining Directory, and photo galleries go to www.mineafrica.com/pdac.
Join us at the Mining Indaba (Cape Town), 6-9 February 2022
During Mining Indaba 2023, members are invited to once again work directly with the Chamber to maximize participation at the annual gathering. Garreth Bloor (President, Canada-Africa Chamber) and Wayne Floreani (President, MineAfrica Inc. and Director, Canada-Africa Chamber) will also be on-hand in South Africa to engage both members and prospective attendees to the 24th Annual African Mining Breakfast and 21st Annual Investing in African Mining Seminar in Toronto.
Email members@canadaafrica.ca for more information or meeting requests.
RECENT EVENTS
Mining Roundtable, Vancouver
In appreciation of the support and prospective attendance of our members and sponsoring delegates at our programming during PDAC, we were pleased to host this hour-long roundtable at the Vancouver Club. The discussion served as a forum for Vancouver-based companies to discuss the current conditions and opportunities for mining on the continent. Read More
Canada-Morocco Business Networking Luncheon
We were delighted to meet the Morocco-Canada Business Council, hosted at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco, our newest Chamber member. The working luncheon followed a formal signing ceremony on Wednesday 23 November, underscoring anticipated collaboration between the Morocco-Canada Business Council. Read More
Post-Africa Accelerating Roundtable: 22 November in Ottawa
On Tuesday 22 November 2022, we convened a discussion of shared priorities on accelerating Canada-Africa trade and investment, grounded a in a recap of Africa Accelerating 2022. Members joined Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Canadian leaders (elected and within Global Affairs) for the dialogue.
We are deeply grateful to our hosts Gowling WLG, under the leadership of Aweis Osman, who made this event possible. Read More
Hon. Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was among those who addressed the Post-Africa Accelerating Roundtable in Ottawa
Reminder: 3-days of Africa Accelerating content on-demand
Once again, Africa Accelerating 2022, convened thousands, together with our premier partner and lead sponsor, Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.
The results from the 3-day conference were tremendous. In addition to B2B meetings and business development, we welcomed major announcements and deliverables, detailed in our previous newsletter.
In summary, the 3-day program was a great success, bringing together leading decision-makers of countries and companies, as well as leaders whose work is vital to accelerating Canada-Africa trade and investment – from the African Union to public policy thinkers and through to the private sector players addressing some of the most pressing global challenges that confront us today.
Speakers during the Official Opening Ceremony included Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa and H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
Recordings of all three days are available on the conference homepage.
Key milestones, new announcements and proprietary insights were generated from this incredible conference. In addition to hundreds of delegates in-person across two venues, we received thousands of registrants online.
We could not have done this without our incredible supporters and partners.
In addition to our headline sponsor, Ivanhoe Mines, we are immensely grateful to this year's Diamond Sponsors: 6ix, Ausenco, B2Gold, Ethiopian Airlines, Goodmans LLP, Hatch, Lucara Diamond, MineAfrica Inc and MEC Capital.
We are also privileged to partner and work with Global Affairs Canada and the Southern-African Canada-Chamber of Commerce, who have been essential to Africa Accelerating 2022 – SACANCHAM has been our valued partner since the signing of our historic MoU in 2020, witnessed by Minister Mary Ng.
We are proud once again proud to recognize the APO Group as our media partner.
The Chamber in the Press
Announcing the Gabon-Canada Trade and Investment Forum [Official Media Release]
Leading thinkers affirm Africa’s enormous potential and proven paths to prosperity [Zawya]
Ethiopian Airlines applauded during the Africa Accelerating 2022 Conference [Times Aerospace]
Canada-Africa collaboration: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to open Africa Accelerating 2022 on 25 October [The Guardian]
Recent Member Events
Member and Partner Events
East African Trade Mission to Nairobi
Africa Trade Desk is a one-stop boutique consulting firm for Canadian and international companies, investors, and entrepreneurs that want to do business in Africa and vice versa. In February 2023, Africa Trade Desk is hosting its inaugural East African Trade Mission to Nairobi, Kenya. Read More
Photos from our 2022 events program
Chief Jerry Asp opens the 23rd Annual Mining Breakfast
Membership - Join The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page at canadaafrica.ca or contact us for more. Our website includes recent media announcements, events and more, showcasing the reach and benefits of membership. For more information, please contact us or down a Membership Form.
Garreth Bloor, President
Email: garreth@canadaafrica.ca
Samantha Mandigora, Head of Operations
Email: samantha@canadaafrica.ca
Toye Abioye, Head, Business Development & Partnerships
Email: toye@canadaafrica.ca
Recent Events and Recordings
Our recent event recording list continues to grow. We have welcomed several hundred speakers and thousands of delegates from across Canada and the African continent.
Best wishes from all of us!
Garreth Bloor (President), Samantha Mandigora (Head of Operations)
Toye Abioye (Business Development and Partnerships)
Susan Namulindwa (Vice President, Canada), Jacques NdoutouMve (Vice President, Africa)
Chamber Fellows & McGill Mastercard Interns
For more information, please contact:
Garreth Bloor
President
The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business
55 Bloor Street West, RTO Manulife Building, PO Box 19553
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3T9 Tel: 647-667-1223 Email: garreth@canadaafrica.ca