Building on more than 70 years of historical relations with African countries, Canada moves forward on its commitment to build stronger and mutually beneficial partnerships. Home to the world's youngest population, and fastest growing middle-class, Africa is a dynamic and diverse continent of increasing geopolitical and economic importance.
Democracy, respect for human rights, and peace and security are essential for sustainable development alongside economic growth and prosperity. Canada's enhanced engagement with African partners on these global issues is grounded in its people-to-people ties with them and in our shared interests.
In that spirit and on the margins of the Canada-African Union Commission High-Level Dialogue, held today in Toronto, Ontario, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development; and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced a series of flagship initiatives that will strengthen partnerships at all levels, multilaterally and regionally, such as with the African Union and through bilateral initiatives.
These initiatives were announced after extensive engagement and consultations with a variety of African, Canadian and international stakeholders, including from government, business, civil society, diaspora communities and academia.
As part of concrete commitments in Canada's renewed approach to engagement with Africa, Minister Joly announced $54 million in funding for flagship initiatives and projects in Africa in the following key focus areas: peace and security, good governance, strengthened people-to-people ties and enhancing Canada's diplomatic footprint.
Strengthening its support for peace and security, including by:
- Supporting youth and women in peace processes
- Supporting community-led conflict-prevention in Darfur and civilian-led political process throughout Sudan
- Investing in counterterrorism capacity & threat resilience
- Working to prevent violent extremism & sexual and gender-based violence
Strengthening its ties with and presence in African countries and institutions, including through:
- Naming a Special Envoy for Africa
- Naming a Special Envoy for the Sahel
- Expanding our diplomatic engagement including through the establishment of a full high commission in Zambia and a full embassy in Benin
- The establishment of a new diaspora engagement mechanism
At the High-Level Dialogue, Minister Joly formalized Canada's relationship with the African Union Commission with the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
To create sustainable, diversified and long-term trade and economic opportunities between Canada and the African continent, Minister Ng announced the following initiatives for:
Strengthening economic partnership for shared prosperity, including through:
- Creating a new Pan-African Trade Hub
- Increasing private sector engagement
- Pursuing a Trade Mission led by Minister Ng
As part of Canada's ongoing diplomatic efforts to support its stronger ties with African countries, Minister Ng is pleased to announce that Canada will be signing the Canada-Nigeria Air Transport Agreement and looks forward to doing so soon. Since the conclusion of negotiations in 2014, airlines have been able to operate code-sharing services between Canada and Nigeria. Formal signature of the Agreement will pave the way to ratification and entry into force, which will provide legal certainty to air carriers.
Additionally, in October 2024, Canada and Ghana launched negotiations to pursue an Air Transport Agreement.
Extensive efforts to support poverty reduction and assist with humanitarian crises will continue, grounded in pursuit of the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Development assistance will be informed by Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy framework and the African Union's Agenda 2063. Minister Hussen announced:
Strengthening partnership for people - reducing poverty, providing humanitarian assistance, supporting economic development and empowering youth - including through:
- Creating a new Africa trade and development program at Global Affairs Canada which will support development initiatives that foster stronger trade and investment environments, ultimately contributing to poverty reduction, food security, job creation, gender equality and environmental sustainability.
- Enhancing and expanding education and skills training programming to harness the potential of youth and support innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment.
Minister Hussen also announced $176.64 million in funding to advance women's and youth's economic and social empowerment, support climate-change adaptation, and skills enhancement and jobs creation through the following projects:
- Supporting Morocco Women's Empowerment through Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WESE)
- Providing resources to the Accelerating Women's Business Growth (AWBG)
- Backing the Climate Resilience through Empowering Women project
- Supporting the Urban Productive Safety Nets and Jobs Program (UPSNJP)
- Advancing women and youth's economic and social empowerment in Senegal
- Contributing to Facilitating Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Trade (FIRST)
- Strengthening the South Africa Skills Enhancement Program
- Leading on funding the Renewed Women's Voice and Leadership in Crisis- and Conflict-affected Contexts
- Contributing to the United Nations Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Kenya
The flagship initiatives announced today will position Canada as a reliable partner to countries across the African continent while advancing Canada's interests in global trade, development, human rights, and peace and security amid unprecedented global volatility. Canada's constructive partnerships with its African partners, built on its long-term commitment to the continent, will form the backbone of its forthcoming Africa Strategy.
