The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business announces collaboration with McGill University

Following the jointly hosted Forum on the African Continent Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) on August 25, held with representatives of the governments of Ghana and Senegal, the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and McGill University have announced a new partnership.

The announcement sees McGill University collaborating with The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business (CACB) in training, research, advisory and consultancy activities, mentorship, networking and information sharing.  All toward contributing to sustainable development efforts across multiple countries in Africa and globally.

‘The role of policy research and scholarship on Canada-Africa affairs is vital to delivering our information-sharing mandate, through world-class events and programs,’ says Garreth Bloor, President of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business. ‘From early-stage entrepreneurs to established corporations, our members are set to benefit to immensely from a new initiative to which we are proud partners with McGill University.’

Professor Fabrice Labeau, McGill’s Deputy Provost, Student Life and Learning notes, ‘The long-term engagement of McGill with Africa is exemplified by our African Studies program. Established in 1969, it is the first of its kind in Canada. Additionally, with 200 years of McGill history, our very extensive network of alumni continues to make an impact in Africa and globally. An example of McGill’s current Africa partnerships is the Mastercard Foundation (MCF) Scholars Program that has invested in over 100 African Scholars since 2013, and since 2020 includes a Transitions Project (https://bit.ly/3zxr1R3), with a focus on facilitating Scholars’ transitions to entrepreneurship or employment for impact in Africa.’

‘As part of the Transitions Project, there is an opportunity for businesses, governments and NGOs, including Canada-Africa Chamber members, to work with McGill on internships for MCF Scholars and recent graduates seeking experiences back home, or in African countries other than their own country of origin, contributing to greater mobility in line with AfCFTA. Also, through a pilot McGill MCF Transitions Fund (MCF-TF), partners can provide matching contributions for co-creating or scaling entrepreneurship and employment-creation projects with funded Scholars and recent graduates,’ highlights Dr. Nii Addy, McGill’s Associate Director, Africa Outreach.

Sebastian Spio-Garbrah, Chair of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and its Special Envoy to the AfCFTA Secretariat in Ghana, says ‘Canada is Africa’s trusted third party and an honest broker’.

‘The role of academia and think tanks is thus vital in not only working with the private sector directly, but extends to creating an enabling environment for trade and investment in partnership with Canadian and African leaders. The foresight and vision of McGill and Dr. Nii Addy in particular is applauded – as we ensure an exciting era in Canada-Africa trade and investment is upon us’.

Through our partnership with McGill University we are proud to work with the McGill Mastercard Foundation Transitions Project, welcoming our exceptional interns to the team for 2022

 

McGILL INTERNS

Liz Thomas is a double major graduate in Finance and International Business from Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, and an engaged McGill Mastercard Foundation Alumnus. Her keen interest in the private sector and business management has led her to seize opportunities with the Royal Bank of Canada as a Business Operations Intern. She has worked as a Strategy and Communications Analyst with the McGill Mastercard Foundation Transitions Project.

Liz is passionate about African youth involvement in business, and this has led her to take up the opportunity to intern with the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business(CACB) as a Strategy Execution and Analyst Intern for the McGill-CACB partnership.

Liz excels in a team environment and also delivers exceptionally working alone. Personal attributes of accountability, responsibility and goal orientation make her an asset in any professional business setting.

 Doreen Kiprono is a recent graduate from the Life Science program at McGill University and a MasterCard Foundation alumnus. Emerging African trade markets, consulting and the technology industry are special areas of interest for her, and she has explored these interests during her secondary and tertiary education. Working as a program manager intern with CACB this summer, she hopes to amplify the voice of youth and women in Africa and Canada and opportunities that will create stronger ties between these various entities.

Ferdinand Ochor is a MasterCard Foundation Scholar at McGill University in the Master of Arts, Educational Leadership programme. His passion for business, economic development and projects emanates from his bachelor's degree in Economics and years of career experience in the corporate sector. Prior to his master’s degree, he worked as a Project Manager for a WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) project in Nigeria through the sponsorship and partnership with Asia Youth International Model United Nations (AYIMUN) in 2019. Most recently, Ferdinand worked as Program Lead at Credoville an organization focused on Education Technology and business solutions.  

He is skilled in areas like leadership, effective communication, oral presentation, negotiation, management, and planning. These skills have enabled him to produce the required outcomes in personal and professional settings. Whether working alone or with a team, he always gives his best.

Ferdinand is passionate about African development and has been a key player in various youth-led initiatives championing African Development. 

 

For further information or media queries:
Email: press@canadaafrica.ca
Tel: +1 647-66701223

 

 

Manulife Building RTO
55 Bloor Street West, PO Box 19553
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3T9

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