Canada reinforces partnerships with African countries and institutions to strengthen diplomatic relations, collaboration, economic development and stronger ties in Canada and globally

November 7, 2024 - Toronto, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Building on more than 70 years of historical relations with African countries, Canada is moving forward on its commitment to build stronger and mutually beneficial partnerships. Africa, home to the world’s youngest population and fastest-growing middle class, 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 deep people-to-people ties with them and in Canada and their 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.

Canada is strengthening its support for peace and security, including by:

• supporting youths and women in peace processes
• supporting community-led conflict prevention in Darfur, Sudan, and supporting civilian-led political processes throughout that country
• investing in counterterrorism capacity and threat resilience
• working to prevent violent extremism and sexual and gender-based violence

Canada is also strengthening its ties with and presence in African countries and institutions, including through:

• the appointment of a special envoy for Africa
• the appointment of a special envoy for the Sahel
• the expansion of its diplomatic engagement, including by establishing 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.

Additionally, Minister Ng announced that to create sustainable, diversified and long-term trade and economic opportunities between Canada and Africa, Canada is strengthening economic partnerships for shared prosperity, including by:

• creating a new pan-Africa 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 soon sign the Canada-Nigeria air transport agreement. Since the conclusion of negotiations in 2014, airlines have been able to operate code-sharing services between Canada and Nigeria. Formally signing 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 in humanitarian crises will continue. These efforts will help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Development assistance will be informed by Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

With this in mind, Minister Hussen announced that Canada is strengthening partnerships for people—reducing poverty, providing humanitarian assistance, supporting economic development and empowering youth—including by:

• creating a new Africa trade and development program at Global Affairs Canada, which will support development initiatives that foster stronger trade and investment environments, thereby 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 youths and to support innovation, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment

Minister Hussen also announced $176 million in funding to advance women’s and youths’ economic and social empowerment and to support climate-change adaptation, skills enhancement and job creation through the following projects:

• Empowering Women Through Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Morocco
• Accelerating Women’s Business Growth
• Climate Smart Coffee for Women
• Urban Productive Safety Net and Jobs Project
• Advancing Women’s and Youths’ Economic and Social Empowerment in Senegal 
• Facilitating Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Trade
• South Africa Skills Enhancement Program  
• Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership in Crisis- and Conflict-Affected Contexts 
• United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Kenya 

The flagship initiatives announced today will position Canada as a reliable partner of countries across Africa 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 Africa, will form the backbone of its forthcoming Africa strategy.