May 2026
Dear Members and Friends,
The Canada–Africa Chamber of Business is delighted to announce the 6th Canada–Africa Business Conference, taking place June 24–25 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria, with Zenith Bank Plc confirmed as Headline Sponsor, alongside the support of Canadian private sector companies, such as GardaWorld Security, that are expanding across African markets.
This flagship conference will convene senior decision-makers from across Canada and Nigeria to unlock new opportunities in trade, investment, and large-scale project delivery across the continent. Read More
In preparation for the conference, we look forward to welcoming members and sponsors to a VIP Reception in Lagos this Friday.
If you are interested in attending the conference, but not yet a member, please email members@canadaafrica.ca. Thanks to our sponsors we are able to support the registration of selected Canadian companies who wish to participate.
Canada-Africa Financing Forum, May 14
Last week we hosted the Canada-Africa Financing Forum in Cape Town, welcoming messages and the participation at the highest levels, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, FinDev Canada and leaders in finance and investing across a wide range of asset classes.
Hon. Cindy, Deputy Minister for International Development (above) underscored the importance of practical financing tools — including blended finance, risk mitigation, and coordinated Canadian instruments — to help commercially viable African-led projects reach financial close.. Click here to read more
Canada-Africa VIP Reception, May 18
With the Enlit Africa convention this week, we look forward to hosting members and guests at our Canada-Africa Chamber Reception this evening.
The event is one of numerous engagements in recent weeks which included our Roundtables and Luncheon with the African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, alongside engagements with decision-makers advancing Canada-Africa trade and investment. Scroll down for more under 'Recent Events'!
Africa Accelerating 2026: October 6-7 & 11-13 | Toronto, Kinshasa & Kolwezi
Africa Accelerating is a flagship thought-leadership and engagement program of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, focused on advancing practical trade, investment, and commercial partnerships between Canada and African markets. We look forward to once again convening senior business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and institutions to accelerate trade and investment. Read More
7th Canada-Africa Business Conference, November | Accra
The 7th Canada-Africa Business Conference will take place from November, sponsored by Hatch. Realizing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and the infrastructure requirements to make it happen will be a key theme. We're pleased to confirm leaders in attendance include H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) who we privileged to receive in Ottawa earlier this month. Read More
RECENT EVENTS
[Left] H.E. Mene Mene with Chamber Board Chair Paula Caldwell St-Onge and Senior Advisor, Deepak Dave. [Right] Chamber AfDB Luncheon during our Program with the African Development Bank.
Members' Program with the African Development Bank, April 22 | Toronto
Thank you to all who joined us for this high-level forum with the President and senior leadership of the African Development Bank. The discussions were split across roundtables and focused on opportunities for financing projects across Africa, while strengthening partnerships between Canadian companies and one of the continent’s leading development finance institutions. Participation was by invitation to Chamber members and selected industry leaders. Read More
[Left] Derek Neldner, CEO of RBC and leaders at the bank, joined by AfDB President Dr Sidi Ould Tahand his team. [Right] Roundtable 2 during the program focused on infrastructure projects.
Canada’s Africa Strategy in Action: A Conversation with ADM Cheryl Urban - March 27
Members and guests of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business joined in-person roundtable discussion with Cheryl Urban, Assistant Deputy Minister for Africa at Global Affairs Canada.
This interactive session explored Canada’s evolving economic engagement with African markets and the implementation of the Government of Canada’s Africa Strategy. Participants shared perspectives from the private sector on emerging opportunities, challenges, and priorities for strengthening Canada–Africa commercial partnerships. Read More.
Unlocking Trade & Project Finance in Africa: Canadian Private Sector and Institutional Perspectives - March 25
The Canada Africa Chamber of Business, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, host a virtual executive dialogue on unlocking trade and project finance opportunities in Africa.
This invitation-only session convened leaders from the Canadian private sector, institutional finance, and public policy for a structured discussion on financing constraints, market opportunities, and pathways to strengthen Canada’s commercial engagement across African markets. The program featured moderated discussions and breakout sessions designed to generate practical insights that will inform ongoing research and policy analysis.
Planning for our Canada-Africa Business Conference in Morocco in 2027!
Q1 Events Recap
Once again, during PDAC last week, we were delighted to welcome approximately 650 delegates to our program with MineAfrica - the largest African mining event in North America, presented by Hatch.
In the Chair's address to the 27th Annual African Mining Breakfast, our Board Chair, Paula Caldwell St-Onge, noted that “the direction is clear, partnerships are deepening, and the opportunity before us has never been greater,” in reference to the strong momentum behind our upcoming programs and events - across a wide range of sectors, further details of which appear below.
During the breakfast, Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, the Hon. Randeep Sarai, addressed delegates and underscored Canada’s priorities across the continent, while the Hon. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, delivered the program’s Ministerial Address.
This year’s keynote address was presented by Joe Lombard, Vice Chair of Hatch Ltd., highlighting the firm’s decades of experience partnering in the delivery of major mining and infrastructure projects across Africa.
Above: Hon. Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development) and H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba. Minister of Mines, Democratic Republic of Congo. Below: Joe Lombard, Vice Chair, Hatch and Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair of the Board of Directors, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business
In addition to hundreds of companies, Ministers in attendance also included Julius Mattai, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Sierra Leone; Thiam Tidjani, Minister of Mines and Industry, Mauritania; Ibrahim Uwizeye, Minister of Hydraulics, Energy and Mines, Burundi; Phumzile Mgcina, Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, South Africa, and Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Ghana
Joining Randeep Sarai, leaders from Canada included PS Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who delivered the closing remarks and was commended for his leadership in advancing Canada–Africa trade and investment. Ahmed Hussen, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, was also in attendance, reflecting his longstanding participation in Chamber events.
Cheryl Urban, Assistant Deputy Minister for Africa at Global Affairs Canada was a key participant, with Ambassadors and High Commissioners representing Canada - alongside senior government officials from delegations participating from Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Guinea, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania and the Lualaba Province, DRC.
Read the full report on the African Mining Breakfast & Seminar, with links to the program, presentations, and photo galleries, as well as coverage of African participation at the PDAC Convention Trade Show. Click here to view the report
“Mining is an integral part of Canada’s economy, reinforcing supply chains and economic growth. At PDAC I saw firsthand how Canadian leadership alongside technical expertise helps grow inclusive and responsible mining globally. By integrating our international development partnerships with mining expertise, Canada is well positioned to generate economic and social benefits for people at home and around the world.”
- Hon. Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State, Canada (International Development)
[Left] Anglo American CEO, Duncan Wanblad - a Chamber corporate member - with Board Chair Paula Caldwell St-Onge and the organization's President Garreth Bloor. [Right] The Spotlight on DRC Session during the MineAfrica Seminar.
The 5th Canada-Africa Business Conference in Namibia from February 5-6, welcomed CEOs, investors, entrepreneurs and public sector representatives.
With the support of our headline conference sponsor, B2Gold, the program convened over 50 representatives from Canadian companies and organizations, alongside counterparts from Namibia and across the continent comprising 150 delegates.
Prime Minister Mark Carney' message to the conference recognized "[T]he Canada-Africa Chamber of Business for convening leaders from across Canada and Africa to advance investment, trade, and partnership - connecting businesses and institutions to drive practical collaboration and shared growth," in the read-out to delegates. "Your leadership expands opportunity for Canadians—connecting enterprise, investment, and ideas in ways that deliver real results for communities across our nation.”
“Without companies like B2Gold, none of what we do would be possible,” said Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair of the Board. “I applaud the leadership of John Roos, Country Manager for B2Gold, and recognize the outstanding leadership of CEO Clive Johnson, as well as the active involvement of Vice President Neil Reeder in this conference and in the Chamber’s work." Read More
Supporting Members at the Investing in African Mining Indaba: February 8-12, 2026
Once again, during the Annual Investing in African Mining Indaba the Chamber was pleased to be available to assist members. The Chamber President once addressed the High Commissioner's Official Reception, recognizing Chamber supporters and members in attendance.
Annual General Meeting - Welcoming new Directors to our Board
We were delighted to welcome two new directors this year, following our AGM held in January.
The Hon. Arif Virani, P.C., K.C., Senior Counsel, Torys LLP and the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Dr. Pretee Gopee, Director of Transnational Education and Business Development, Centennial College
Hon. Arif Virani (left) and Dr. Preetee Gopee (centre). Fellow board members Randy McAuley Paula Caldwell St-Onge and Peter Braid, joined by the current and past Presidents at a December meeting (right)
"The Chamber is honoured to welcome a growing and committed board, " said Board Chair Paula Caldwell St-Onge. "Private sector excellence, with insight and understanding on public policy and government issues, are brought together with our directors who serve to advance Canada-Africa trade and investment. Read More
During a recent forum with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Anita Anand, to which the Chamber was invited, we continued to underscore our commitment to market-led missions to the African continent - as part of our mandate to accelerate trade and investment through world-class networking and information-sharing events. We are honoured to welcome decision-makers in government and public policy as esteemed guests to our programs.
The Chamber is also pleased to respond to requests to provide details on our programming, including to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs in Parliament earlier this quarter, as well as in the media. Our public event recordings are available here.
Chamber Meeting with H.E. Professor Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh of the Republic of Ghana in Ottawa last month (left) and a previous meeting of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (right).
All our programs are made possible thanks to our sponsors, affording us the chance to welcome several hundred guest delegates to our events across Canada and numerous African markets, in addition to interactive live broadcasts of our major conferences.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
G20 Leaders’ Summit & Chamber Programming
On the occasion of the first G20 Leaders' Summit on the African continent, the Chamber’s leadership was delighted to attend an Official Reception in Ottawa on the eve of the Summit, hosted by South Africa's High Commissioner to Canada, H.E. Rieaz Shaik. The High Commissioner highlighted the longstanding ties binding Canada and South Africa, the first African country to host the summit. “This is a major milestone, and we are pleased to accelerate trade and investment, in the context of several G20 themes raised" said Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair of the Board.
PS Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs who addressed the event, recognized the Chamber for its work to date.
Left: James Carpenter, Alberta's Senior Representative to Ottawa; H.E. Rieaz Shaik and Board Chair Paula Caldwell St-Onge; Centre: PS Rob Oliphant, Right: PS Oliphant and H.E. Shaik toast the G20.
During the G20 Leaders Summit, Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Cyril Ramaphosa recognized the alignment of Canada’s G7 and South Africa’s G20 priorities, "particularly on economic growth and stability, energy security, AI, and critical minerals supply chains".
As with the Africa Strategy, we look forward to exploring outcomes of the G20 Leaders Summit, as part of our information-sharing mandate, during our upcoming programming. Arising from the official announcements the Chamber will host a Canada-Africa Financing Forum on May 14, 2026.
UPCOMING:
The Chamber has been advised of these upcoming events which may be of interest to members:
Cameroon-Canada International Economic Forum, June 10-20, 2026: Toronto. Read More
60th Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF), July 1-7 2026: Ndola. Read More
IN REVIEW
4th Canada-Africa Business Conference, September 29-30, 2025: Lusaka, Zambia
Last year Canadian companies, joined by hundreds of African counterparts, convened for the 4th Canada-Africa Business Conference in Lusaka, sponsored by Hatch.
Canada is Zambia's largest foreign investor. Sectors covered during the program included natural resource development, financing, energy, infrastructure and healthcare.
President Hakainde Hichilema's message to the conference conveyed the historic ties binding Canada and Zambia. Hatch Vice Chair, Joe Lombard, delivered the keynote private sector address. Read More, including on our detailed program, the sponsors who made it all possible, and photos from the conference held at the Lusaka InterContinental (above).
The program was followed by our VIP Reception (above), addressed by Canada's High Commissioner, H.E. Emily Burns. Zambia's Minister of Trade Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Chipoka Mulenga (right), offered a toast to ongoing collaboration, thanking the Chamber for choosing Zambia for the 4th Canada-Africa Business Conference.
Canadian High Commissioner to South Africa, H.E. James Christoff - who will address the upcoming 5th Canada-Africa Business Conference - continues to underscore Canada’s commitment as a commercial partner in African markets. "The Canada-Africa Business Conferences are a direct outgrowth of Canada’s renewed commitment to advancing trade and investment in Africa, underpinned by the spirit of partnership embodied in Canada’s Africa Strategy and driven by the need for economic diversification amid global change," says H.E. Christoff.
Canada-Africa Forum, September 30th. 2025
Our Canada-Africa Forum in Lilayi on September 30th comprised a private program for members and guests to engage on trade and investment opportunities, as well as the role of the private sector in realizing the objectives of the Africa Strategy through trade and investment. Read More
Africa Accelerating - In Review: September 8-10, 2025
We emerged from a dynamic Africa Accelerating program last month across two Canadian cities and welcomed new members.
We were delighted to convene leading CEOs, entrepreneurs, Ministerial voices, as well as industry experts over three days in Toronto and Hamilton, thanks to our generous sponsors, including Headline Chamber Sponsor Elephant Trade-Services DRC and our gracious hosts in Toronto, Goodmans LLP. Read More
Above: Our Africa Accelerating 2025 VIP Reception (left) and Opening Ceremony (right) welcomed messages from Hon. Maropene Ramokgopa, Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Republic of South Africa, PS Rob Oliphant Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Canada, B2Gold's Neil Reeder (Vice President, Government Relations. Neil Reeder) for the private keynote address and delegates representing various markets - including but not limited to - Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya.
Below: Delegates from four African markets visited the City of Hamilton on September 10th, during our full-day program, which included a visit to Trident Engineering Institute and Nexim Healthcare Consultants, founded by Chamber member and sponsor, Henry Lukenge. Read More
The Chamber is especially delighted to welcome new members and guests from the private sector to all events.
Ahead of the 4th Canada-Africa Business Conference, Elba Afrika joined our organization, strengthening the Chamber’s growing network of leading organizations driving trade and investment between Canada and African markets. Read More
View the full list of 2025 Chamber programming events here
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 annual President’s Report, covers our event programming, recognizing the outcomes, successes and dozens of key people and companies who made it possible. Download the most recent 2025 Report.
Thank you once again to our generous high-level sponsoring supporters featured in the most recent edition: 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