July 2024
Dear Members and Friends,
We are delighted to invite you to join us in Harare. Our two-day program will once again convene leading decision makers to accelerate Canada-Africa trade and investment, through a world-networking and information-sharing forum - in Zimbabwe's dynamic capital. Read More
The most recent Canada-Africa Business Conference in Nairobi, this past February, was described as a 'great success' in Canada's Parliament. Sectors on the program in Zimbabwe include energy, mining, ICT and education.
Among the success stories under the spotlight is Zimplats and the successful collaboration with one of Canada's leading global companies, Hatch. Zimplats is a leading mining company specializing in platinum group metals.
Next month, in preparation for the 3rd Canada-Africa Business Conference, the Chamber will be on-the-ground in Zimbabwe. Members may email members@canadaafrica.ca to request meetings to discuss maximizing involvement in the upcoming October program. Read More
RECENT EVENTS
Last week, from June 24-27, we were delighted to host the Governor of the Lualaba Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Her Excellency Fifi Masuka Saini. We welcomed hundreds of delegates over four days of programming, among them business leaders and representatives of all levels of government - including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Minister of International Development of Canada, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen. Read More
In June we hosted events in Washington, DC and Toronto, while participating in events in Sudbury, Ottawa and Montreal.
Canada-US Forum for African Partnerships: May 22-23, Washington, DC
Opened by US Congressman John Moolenaar and Minister Mary Ng, our inaugural US-Canada Forum for African Partnerships brought together leaders from both sides of the Atlantic.
Home to over half of accredited African Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Canada, Washington, DC is also home to major institutions, such as the World Bank, as well as numerous US-Canada joint initiatives with African countries.
The Lobito Corridor served thematically as a tangible template for the opportunities ahead, including the role of members of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.
Day 1 comprised of a conference-style format, one block from the White House, while Day 2 included a Congressional tour of the US Capitol, as well as B2B meetings, for Chamber members Read More
Forum on the 2nd Canada-Africa Business Conference, May 27, Toronto
Following our February 2024 program in Nairobi, Kenya, we were delighted to host a roundtable in Toronto with PS Maninder Sidhu, Prime Minister Trudeau's Parliamentary Secretary to Canada's Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development.
The program began at 2:30pm, following the African Union flag raising ceremony at the Ontario Provincial Legislature. The forum explored how we continue to deepen ties between Canada and African markets, ensuring businesses are best positioned to succeed. Read More
The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business Recognized in the 2024 Zambezi-Kilimanjaro Excellence Award on Africa Day
Garreth Bloor, President of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, received the Award from the Group of African Ambassadors in Ottawa ‘in recognition of your exceptional contribution to promote relations between Canada and Africa’. Read More
Network Events
Montreal: The Chair of the Board of Directors addressed the 6th edition of the Canada Africa Forum on Trade Investment in Montreal on 24 May 2024: ''The economic ties between Canada and Africa are not only significant but also hold immense potential for growth and mutual benefit. As we navigate through the complexities of global trade and cooperation, it becomes increasingly clear that organizations like Chambers of Commerce serve as vital conduits for partnership and collaboration,'' relayed Caldwell St-Onge, during her address. More details on the program from the organizers are here
Ottawa: On Africa Day, Chamber President, Garreth Bloor attended the CASA Foundation’s Africa Day Forum at the Sir John MacDonald Building in Ottawa, opening and moderating the panel on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA). ‘This year’s theme, “Investing in People of African Descent-An Entrepreneurial Perspective”, aligns with your commitment to supporting underrepresented communities,’ said Dr. Olutoyin Oyelade, President of the CASA Foundation and founder of the forum. Read More
Recent Events: 30th Anniversary Celebration in Toronto on May 7th
With messages from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford - among others - the Canada-Africa Chamber's contribution to Canada was celebrated this month.
Over 150 members and invited guests attended the 30 Year-Anniversary on Tuesday 7 May 2024, with a keynote address by Joe Lombard, Vice Chairman of Hatch, introduced by Past President, Bruce Shapiro. Gabriel Tshitende of Elephant Trade-Services DRC, and Founding Chair of the Chamber, Stephen Pincus, a Partner at Goodmans LLP, were among the speakers. The historic ballroom of the National Club of Toronto was adorned with portraits of past distinguished speakers - commemorating addresses by leaders over the past three decades, who have included Heads of State, captains of industry and world-leading think tanks.
Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair of the Board, opened the 30th Anniversary, underscoring this year's extensive programming - including but not limited to events in Toronto, Ottawa and Sudbury in Canada, as well as Nairobi, Kenya; Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo; Harare, Zimbabwe and Cape Town, South Africa - in addition to the inaugural upcoming Canada-US Forum for African Partnerships in Washington, DC.
Mr. Gabriel Tshitende, founder and CEO of Elephant Trade-Services DRC, headline sponsor of the 30th Anniversary Program, delivered the official welcome - which included an invitation to attend Elephant Trade Services' February 2025 Investment Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This follows the success of this year's DRC Mission undertaken with the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, showcasing major investment opportunities.
Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, thanked Chamber leaders for their contribution in remarks from her Ministerial Office in Ottawa.
Awards Ceremony
In recognition of their incredible support, four leading corporate members were recipients of our Major Supporter Award. Board Chair, Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Board Director Pierre Boivin and Vice President Ateau Zola, were pleased to present the awards:
- Goodmans LLP - received by Stephen Pincus (Partner)
- MineAfrica Inc - received by Wayne Floreani (President) and Bruce Shapiro (co-founder)
- Hatch - received by Joe Lombard (Vice Chair)
- Elephant Trade Services DRC- received by Gabriel Tshitende (Founder and CEO)
“Thank you to all who have made the last 30 years a success, in addition to those who’ve pledged today to writing the story of our next 30 years,” said Chamber President Garreth Bloor.
“I am delighted to announce that the headline sponsor of our 30-year anniversary programming writes that story with us as we step into the future: Elephant Trade-Services DRC has committed to 2025 headline sponsorship of our organization."
Karen Kelly-Woolcock of KY Concierge, the Chamber's Senior Associate for In-Bound delegations, played a key role in the success of the program, together with her company's team.
More information on this month’s Anniversary Event can be found here, including links to upcoming events in North America and in African markets.
For information on joining the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, click here.
MineAfrica Program in Sudbury: May 8-11
For all who travelled to Canada, as well as those in the country already, our 30-Year Anniversary week included the MineAfrica tour to Sudbury. The Chamber was delighted to serve as a partner in the program of site visits, educational sessions and networking opportunities. Read More
Media Updates
News from The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business is carried across hundreds of publications and by numerous organizations, including by governments. Recent coverage includes:
Canada-US Collaboration in Africa Under Discussion on May 22nd in Washington, DC [Fox]
In-Conversation with Sabine Kamukitu, Lambano Full Services SARL: Accelerating Canada-Africa Trade and Investment [AllAfrica]
The Canada-Africa Chamber celebrates 30 years of Canada-Africa trade and investment [Adom Online]
Canadian Miners eye African expansion for transition minerals [African Business]
2nd Canada-Africa Business Conference highlighted in the Canadian Parliament
[Chamber News]
OTHER 2024 EVENTS
25th Annual African Mining Breakfast and MineAfrica's 22nd Annual Investing in African Mining Seminar
26,926 people attended PDAC 2024 and it seemed like most of them were at our African events!
It was a great week in Toronto and we were delighted with the opportunity to showcase African markets mining investment destination of choice.
The energy and excitement for Africa was on full display at our sell-out breakfast, as well as MineAfrica's seminar and Africa pavilion at the PDAC Trade Show. Read More
2nd Canada-Africa Business Conference: 19-20 February 2024, Nairobi
The second Canada-Africa Business Conference, hosted on the invitation of H.E. President William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, was described as a 'great success' in the Canadian Parliament during Friday's sitting.
Working in partnership with the High Commission of Canada in Kenya, we were honoured to have been joined by PS Maninder Sidhu, Prime Minister Trudeau's Parliamentary Secretary to Canada's Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development.
Chamber President, Garreth Bloor, opened the conference by thanking Chamber Headline Sponsor, Elephant Trade-Services DRC and its CEO Gabriel Tshitende - echoed by Canada's Honourable Maninder Sidhu. Gold Sponsors included Cypher Environmental, Bramex Ltd and Hatch. Read More
DRC-Canada Leadership Visit to Lualaba: 8-10 February 2024, Kolwezi
The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business was privileged to welcome leading dignitaries, members and guests to our first-ever program in the Lualaba Province, to which we were warmly received by Governor Fifi Masuka Saini.
Chamber members, as world-class service providers and partners - including MineAfrica Inc and Collège Boréal - can serve as key to the development of Lualaba and the DRC as a whole. This reality was underscored during the program, which included the Canada-Lualaba Business Forum on Day 2, at the prestigious Katebi Beach Lodge overlooking Lake Nzilo.
The Chamber was honoured to recognize the attendance of Canada's recently-appointed Ambassador to the DRC, H.E. Maryse Guilbeault, during what was Her Excellency's first visit to the Lualaba Province as Ambassador. Read More
Annual Investing in African Mining Indaba, February 3-7, 2024: Cape Town
The Chamber was pleased to assist members attending the Annual Investing in African Mining Indaba. From February 3rd to 7th, we were on-hand to liaise for meetings and access to VIP events. Chamber President, Garreth Bloor, addressed attendees at the Canadian High Commissioner's VIP Reception on Sunday evening.
Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair of the Board; Gabriel Tshitende, CEO, Elephant Trade-Services DRC (headline sponsor); Ateau Zola, Vice President and Special Envoy to the DRC; Garreth Bloor, President of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and Wayne Floreani, President of MineAfrica Inc
Presidents' Report - 2023 in Review
Following a successful year, the President's Report is available online - showcasing the people, companies and ideas that accelerated Canada-Africa trade and investment, through world-class networking and information-sharing events. Read it here
Best wishes from all of us!
Garreth Bloor (President), Ateau Zola (Vice President, Natural Resources), Susan Namulindwa (Vice President, Canada), Jacques NdoutouMvé (Vice President, Africa)
Sebastian Spio-Garbrah (Past Chair & AfCFTA Free Trade Unit, Accra), Ateau Zola (Senior Associate: Business Development), Mahvish Batool (Operations) Toye Abioye (Business Development and Partnerships) and Karen Woolcock (Senior Associate: In-Bound Delegations/KY Concierge)
About Us
President, Operations, Membership, Vice Presidents and Associates (queries@canadaafrica.ca)
Board of Directors (board@canadaafrica.ca)
Council of Senior Advisors (council@canadaafrica.ca)
Chamber Fellows & McGill Mastercard Interns (partnerships@canadaafrica.ca / fellowships@canadaafrica.ca)
Think Tank Perspectives and Free Trade Unit (thinktank@canadaafrica.ca / freetrade@canadaafrica.ca)
For more information, please contact:
The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business Head Office
55 Bloor Street West, RTO Manulife Building, PO Box 19553
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3T9 Tel: 647-667-1223 Email: members@canadaafrica.ca