July 2025
Dear Members and Friends,
On the road to Africa Accelerating 2025, we are also pleased to profile new announcements for upcoming programs, including but not limited to, Lusaka, Toronto, Windhoek and Cape Town - in addition to upcoming engagements in Malabo and Ottawa later this week, following in the context of our bilaterals with the African Union Commission in recent years.
It was another busy past week this summer, celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) Independence and the National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt. We are delighted to celebrate and engage with Head of Mission members, represented by their Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Canada.
Above: Board Chair Paula Caldwell St-Onge with H.E. Joska Kabongo Ngoy, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo (left). Leaders from Canada (middle and right) included PS Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (International Development), Senator Mohammad Al Zaibak and Assistant Deputy Director, Cheryl Urban. Greg Goldhawk, a Senior Advisory Council member of the Chamber, was also in attendance.
Below: Celebrating Egypt's National Day, PS Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, addressed the program hosted by His Excellency Ahmed Hafez.
Delivering the Africa Strategy - the Role of Business: Toronto, Ottawa, Cape Town, Lusaka and Windhoek
The Chamber is undertaking a new report, focused on the Africa Strategy and the role and commitments made by members to realizing the objectives of the strategy launched this year by P.S. Oliphant. The report curates what we've heard and seen during recent programs. The final report will be shared with members and discussed at upcoming events in Canada and on the continent. Read More
Malabo Leadership Breakfast Meeting, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea: July 13
The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, on behalf of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), cordially invites members to participate in an exclusive leadership breakfast meeting taking place alongside the 7th African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
This high-level engagement will bring together senior policymakers, business leaders, institutional partners, and key stakeholders to examine actionable strategies for driving investment, accelerating trade, and deepening regional collaboration within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. Read More
Canada-Africa Trade and Investment Expo 2025, Toronto: August 4 to 5
For members attending the Canada-Africa Trade and Investment Expo 2025, we look forward to being on-hand to support you. The Chamber leadership also looks forward to participating in the program for “strategic partnerships between Canadian and African stakeholders, with a focus on key sectors such as agriculture, technology, health, and education”. Read More.
4th Canada-Africa Business Conference in Zambia, sponsored by Hatch: Lusaka, September 29-30
Space is filling up quickly for our program at the Lusaka InterContinental and in Lilayi, Zambia, this September, to be opened by President Hakainde Hichilema.
Day 1 is set to once again welcome hundreds, as we did in Harare last year, profiling opportunities and templates for successes achieved to date. Day 2 in Lilayi will comprise a private program for members to engage on trade and investment opportunities in Zambia, as well as the Chamber's role in realizing the objectives of the Africa Strategy for trade and investment. Read More
As always, please don't hesitate to connect with us if you require any assistance with reservations at the Lusaka InterContinental or in Lilayi: zambia@canadaafrica.ca.
Join us at Africa Accelerating 2025: September 8-9 (Canada) & 25-26 (South Africa)
We are delighted Goodmans LLP continues to serve as a Major Sponsor in this 31st year of our existence as an organization. The firm is once again host of this year's Africa Accelerating conference in Toronto, under the leadership of Randy McAuley, a partner in the business law group at Goodmans and a board director at the Chamber.
The Africa Accelerating 2025 program will comprise conferences in both Canada and South Africa, including Cape Town from September 25-26, 2025.
During a momentous year where Canada leads the G7 and South Africa heads the G20, as the first African country to do so, we look forward to welcoming leaders accelerating Canada-Africa trade and investment from among all members and guests. Read More & Register
Above (left): Randy McAuley, Partner at Goodmans LLP, our major sponsor and host of the Africa Accelerating 2025 program in Canada. (Right): Last year's Africa Accelerating Day 2 program at Goodmans LLP welcomed CEOs, Ministerial leadership and entrepreneurs.
We are pleased to see a growing list of new members and supporters joining Africa Accelerating 2025.
Cross Border #1: Insights from IPT AFRICA
As reported in the press, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business is pleased to welcome IPT Africa as our newest corporate member. Mark Sullivan, founder and CEO of IPT Africa, will address our Africa Accelerating 2025 conference in Toronto on September 9th.
Headquartered in Mauritius and serving clients across the continent, IPT Africa is a pan-African
payment and collections partner dedicated to helping international businesses navigate the
complexities of cross-border transactions in Africa. Read More
Ahead of Africa Accelerating 2025, IPT Africa is providing a series of commentaries on cross-border transacting. Click here to read the first in the series, 'Cross Border Insights'.
Email crossborder@canadaafrica.ca to connect with IPT Africa.
5th Canada-Africa Business Conference in Namibia, sponsored by B2Gold - Windhoek, February 5-7, 2026
Our 5th Canada-Africa Business Conference is set for 2026, in the week preceding the Investing in African Mining Indaba. Join us for a dynamic conference program at the Windhoek Country Club, followed by a Site Visit Program for Members and Sponsors. Read more including the program and sponsorship opportunities.
RECENT EVENTS
Welcoming Dozens of Participating Countries to The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business
During the Chamber's recent VIP Members' Luncheon in Ottawa, we were pleased to announce our new membership category for Heads of Mission, made possible thanks to our generous sponsors.
We are honoured at the rapidly growing number of countries within our membership represented by high-level participation in the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business:
Thank you to our generous high-level sponsoring supporters: Chamber Headline Sponsor, Elephant Trade-Services DRC, alongside Major Sponsors including 369 Global Inc, 6ix, APO Group, B2Gold, Bishworld, Cypher Environmental, Hatch, EY, Lambano Full Services, Goodmans LLP, MineAfrica Inc., Nexim Healthcare Consultants Inc and SDF Financial.
The Chamber's work is entirely enabled by our private sector supporters and dozens of volunteers at our Director and Senior Advisory levels.
Above: The Chamber was honoured to participate in the Africa Day program with Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association and the African Group of Ambassadors (left), and attend the Embassy of the DRC's program on the country's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council (right), among several high-level engagements in Ottawa last week.
Canada Program during the Africa CEO Forum, Abidjan, May 11-14, 2025
The Africa CEO Forum brought together over 2,000 business leaders, investors and policymakers in Abidjan - with major announcements, including the Chamber's new agreement with the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), signed and witnessed at the Canadian Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire.
Our new strategic Memorandum of Understanding with APN established a framework for collaboration, event reciprocity, and new joint initiatives to accelerate Canada-Africa trade and investment, with a specific focus on our information-sharing mandate. Read More
Observers of the MoU Signing, joined by Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Chair of the Africa Prosperity Network (left) and Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair of the Board of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business (right), with Pierre Boivin (centre), a Board Director at The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.
The Chamber was pleased to serve as a co-sponsor of the Canada Program during the Africa CEO Forum, which included the announcement of Zambia President, H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, opening our upcoming Canada-Africa Business Conference in Lusaka.
Chamber Board Chair, Paula Caldwell St-Onge, who previously served as Director General for Pan African Affairs in the Government of Canada, emphasized the practical impact of the recent agreement with the Africa Prosperity Network: "This MoU includes tangible commitments to reciprocity between our organizations' extensive program offerings and establishes a framework for new collaborative initiatives that will directly support the acceleration of Canada-Africa trade and investment."
"I would like to extend special thanks to former Board Chair Sebastian Spio-Garbrah for his leadership in bringing this initiative to fruition," added St-Onge during her remarks at the Opening Reception of the Canada Program.
Members' Luncheon - May 1, 2025 in the Ottawa Capital Region
Together with our members, we were delighted to once again welcome leaders from the Government of Canada and representatives of over two dozen African Governments to our annual luncheon at the Royal Ottawa in Gatineau, Quebec.
Focused on the role of the private sector in trade and investment, the Chamber's leadership presented key areas of Chamber work, with case studies on each:
Canada-Africa Business Conferences
Including Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Annual Africa Accelerating Program
Comprising the 2025 conferences in Canada and Cape Town this September
Africa at PDAC
Our largest Africa-focused mining event with MineAfrica Inc every March
In-Bound Missions to Canada
Including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Lesotho
Ongoing Member Events & Engagements
Including receptions, events and engagements in Calgary, Abidjan, Ottawa, Kolwezi, Nairobi, Harare, Edmonton, Toronto, Cape Town, Washington, DC, Vancouver, Niamey, Johannesburg and Maseru.
Think Tank
Accelerating trade and investment through ongoing information-sharing with executive thought leaders, think tanks and senior advisors participating in our programs.
Current thought leadership initiatives reflected in our events include our AfCFTA Unit in Accra, the focus on Canada's Africa Strategy and our annual African Union Commission bilateral for members.
Read More or request the full presentation and/or a private member briefing by emailing members@canadaafrica.ca.
RECENT MEMBER AND PARTNER ENGAGEMENTS
Supporting Members attending SIAL: April 29 - May 1, 2025: Toronto
The Chamber participated in SIAL this year for the first time, on-hand to support members and brief new prospective members. SIAL serves to "ignite innovation within the agri-food industry, empowering companies in this sector to gain deeper insights into market dynamics and global food trends".
Members of the Madagscar delegation (left) to SIAL and the country pavilion (right).
Members' Briefings: Accelerating Canada's Private Sector Growth Story with African Markets - April 15-16: Calgary
For members and guests in Calgary, the President provided updates on the latest work at the Chamber during a series of meetings, which included opportunities for members to explore maximizing the use of corporate member benefits. Read More
We were also pleased to table further details for our conferences in Lusaka and Windhoek, among our upcoming planned programs, in addition to others in the planning phase - as shared with members - for numerous markets. Read More
Above (Left): Mr. Patrick Mbambo, founder of Mbambo Construction, which serves Calgary, Okotoks, High River, Vulcan and Southern Alberta (Centre): Companies from Calgary and Edmonton were among those who addressed the most recent Canada-Africa Business Conference in Harare (Right): Honourary Consul of Côte d'Ivoire to Alberta, Mr. Kazir Coulibaly is currently leading the Côte d’Ivoire – Alberta Business Forum, taking place from July 2-4, 2025, in Calgary. Email alberta@canadaafrica.ca for more info.
The Government of Alberta provides a monthly overview of events, market intelligence, and opportunities in African markets - for companies and stakeholders in Alberta. Many are however of great interest to all Canadian firms. With thanks to Trade Officer Aaron Poirier, based in the capital of Edmonton, please find details of procurement opportunities, and additional information and resources here.
Diversification of Trade: Canada’s Tipping Point - April 2, Ottawa
The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business was delighted to participate in this dynamic program of the Africa Trade Desk on April 2, bringing together trade agencies, private sector leaders, and international trade experts to discuss real-world strategies for diversifying Canadian trade. View media coverage of the event here
Above: Susan Namulindwa addresses delegates (left) while Chamber members and friends (right) were among those who moderated and addressed sessions during the day-long program.
Africa Strategy Breakfast: The Role of the Private Sector - Toronto
The Government of Canada launched Canada's Africa Strategy: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity and Security on March 7. On the occasion of the launch, a number of stakeholders - among them Chamber members - were invited by the Government of Canada to join a briefing on the strategy. Read More
Over 600 attendees (above) joined our Africa Mining Breakfast and MineAfrica's 23rd Annual Investing in African Mining Seminar
The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business 26th Annual African Mining Breakfast & MineAfrica’s 23rd Annual Investing in African Mining seminar presented by Hatch featured 56 speakers and 620 attendees throughout the morning on March 4th at the Sheraton Hotel.
The breakfast featured addresses from numerous leaders, including:
- The Hon. Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Minister of International Development
- The Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Republic of Ghana
- Abdul Rahman Amoadu, Managing Director - Africa and Canada, Newmont
- Paul Lefebvre, Mayor, City of Greater Sudbury
- Joe Lombard, Vice-Chair, Hatch
- Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business
MineAfrica's spotlight sessions also featured country overviews by African Mining Ministers, project updates by mining CEOs and presentations on current trends in African mining by expert advisers. MineAfrica also had 11 exhibitors (and 85 delegates) in the PDAC Trade Show. View the full program here and read the 2025 Report.
Recap: 2025 Investing in African Mining Indaba Programming: Cape Town, February 2-6, 2025
Chamber President, Garreth Bloor once again addressed attendees at the Canadian High Commissioner's VIP Reception, underscoring Canada-Africa collaboration through private sector growth, at an event which kicked off Team Canada's participation at the 2025 Mining Indaba.
We were pleased to support members with participation at a number of high-level networking and information-sharing events, in addition to bilaterals and Chamber leadership meetings that mapped out upcoming programs on the African continent. Read More
Above: Past Mining Indaba Canada Receptions with members, including Elephant Trade-Services DRC (Gabriel Tshitende), B2Gold (Neil Reeder), MineAfrica Inc (Wayne Floreani) and B2BeeMatch (KC Goundiam).
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS SHARED BY MEMBERS OR PARTNERS
Invitation to the Ghana Horticulture Expo 2025
The High Commission of the Republic of Ghana has advised us that the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters, and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, are scheduled to organize the Ghana Horticulture Expo 2025. Read More or email ghana@canadaafrica.ca
Partnership & Investment Opportunities in Mali
We are pleased to inform members that the Embassy of the Republic of Mali has shared information on investment and partnership opportunities in Mali. For more details, please click here to view the brochure or email mali@canadaafrica.ca for further information.
Zambia’s 59th International Trade Fair, July 2-8 2025, Ndola
Under the theme: “Enhancing Business Resilience through Innovation and Trade”, the Zambian High Commission has generously extended an invitation to members of the Chamber interested in attending the 59th International Trade Fair. Read More
Investment Opportunities: The Zambian High Commission is sharing investment opportunities. Click here to view the latest for the Lusaka Mass Transit Railway. Email zambia@canadaafrica.ca for more information. There are also opportunities available for a Green Hydrogen based Synthetic Fertiliser Project, a Biomass Green Methanol Project and a 1000MW Storage Project.
From September 29-30, 2025 we are delighted to be in Zambia for the 4th Canada-Africa Business Conference, Sponsored by Hatch at the Lusaka InterContinental. Read More
Canada-Africa Trade and Investment Expo 2025 - August 4 to 5, 2025: Toronto
Connect with top-tier buyers eager for Canadian innovations to solve their most pressing challenges. Chamber members may email members@canadaafrica.ca for complimentary passes. Read More
Canada Africa Fintech Summit 2025, August 5-8, 2025
The summit aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development within the fintech industry - with a specific focus on the role of fintech talent as a catalyst for green transformation. Read More on the Official Event website of the organizers.
IATF2025, September 4 - 10, 2025
As part of the 4ᵉ edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) to be held September 4 - 10, 2025 in Algiers, the Trade Commissioner Service at the Embassy to Algiers invites you to join us and take advantages of the many benefits offered by the Embassy as an exhibitor.
IATF2025 is a flagship event for African trade, bringing together over 1,600 exhibitors and participants from more than 75 countries. It is an exceptional platform to raise your profile, establish strategic partnerships, and explore new markets across the African continent.
"Algeria is experiencing remarkable economic dynamism, marked by a strong determination to modernize its infrastructures and strengthen its industrial capacities", as noted by the Embassy. "The country is looking for technological solutions, high-performance equipment, and lasting partnerships." Read More
Sierra Leone-Canada Trade, Investment and Cultural Show 2025 - Toronto: September 18 - 20, 2025
Chamber members are kindly informed, as advised by the Africa Trade Desk that the "first-ever Sierra Leone-Canada trade, investment, and cultural show" will take place over 3-days. The business and networking event serves to foster trade, investment, and economic collaboration between Sierra Leone and Canada. The incoming delegation attending the forum from Sierra Leone will include the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Chief Minister, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Read More
To Chamber members attending or who wish to learn more. We look forward to seeing you and supporting you in Toronto. For more info: sierraleone@canadaafrica.ca
ICT Mission to the Africa Tech Festival
The Trade Commissioner Service in South Africa (JBURG) has launched the recruitment process for Canadian tech companies to participate in the ICT mission to the Africa Tech Festival (formerly AfricaCom) which is taking place in Cape Town, South Africa this November.
The Africa Tech Festival brings together tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to explore how innovation is transforming Africa’s industries—from telecoms and finance to health and education. With over 15,000 global attendees, the festival offers numerous networking and B2B opportunities for our Canadian companies. Read More
Maximize your corporate member benefits!
If you would like to request a meeting to discuss maximizing your participation and member benefits, please don’t hesitate to contact us: members@canadaafrica.ca.Thank you to all who’ve engaged thus far, at recent meetings online and in-person, across Canada and on the African continent.
Our latest President’s Report, covers our 2024 event programming, recognizing the outcomes, successes and dozens of key people and companies who made it possible. Download the Report.
Thank you once again to our generous high-level sponsoring supporters: Chamber Headline Sponsor, Elephant Trade-Services DRC, alongside Major Sponsors including 6ix, APO Group, B2Gold, Bishworld, Cypher Environmental, Hatch, EY, Lambano Full Services, Goodmans LLP, MineAfrica Inc., Nexim Healthcare Consultants Inc and SDF Financial.
We do not receive government grant funding and thank our generous supporters for ensuring we can deliver our mission - as a proudly independent Not-for-Profit organization, dedicated to accelerating trade and investment through world-class networking and information-sharing events.
It is for good reason that decision-makers from Presidents and Prime Ministers, through to captains of industry and the next generation of business leaders, continue to choose the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business - to engage, announce new initiatives, and deepen private sector collaboration for economic growth.
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), Toye Abioye (Business Development and Partnerships) and Karen Woolcock (Senior Associate: In-Bound Delegations/KY Concierge); Haba-Maria Konaré (Office of the President)
About Us
President, Operations, Membeship, Vice Presidents and Associates (queries@canadaafrica.ca)
Board of Directors (board@canadaafrica.ca)
Council of Senior Advisors (council@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