Secretary of State Sarai concludes successful visit to Ethiopia and Tanzania and participation in G20 development ministers’ meeting in South Africa
News release
July 28, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Canada’s strong relationship with African countries is built on deep people-to-people connections, expanding trade and investment and a shared commitment to peace, security and human rights.
Building on this foundation—and guided by Canada’s Africa Strategy— the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), recently concluded a visit to Ethiopia and Tanzania, from July 17 to 23, 2025. He also participated in the G20 Development Working Group Ministerial Meeting, which was held on July 24 and 25 in South Africa.
During his visit to Ethiopia and Tanzania, Secretary of State Sarai announced $25 million to support Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and engaged in site visits and strategic dialogues focused on education, health, economic empowerment, gender equality and climate resilience.
By supporting skills development and strengthening human capital, Canada is contributing to a more skilled workforce that can drive economic growth and foster a more inclusive and enabling business environment across East Africa.
This new funding will support youths—particularly young women—through skills development and TVET:
- BLOOM Africa is a $20-million project in partnership with World Vision Canada. This project aims to improve the economic empowerment of 25,200 marginalized youths—including 15,120 adolescent girls and young women—in Rwanda, Somalia and Tanzania by providing TVET.
- Increasing Economic Opportunities for Youth in Uganda and Tanzania is a $5-million project in partnership with FINCA Canada. This project aims to increase economic opportunities for youths through skills development, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship and will reach 41,000 young people in Tanzania and Uganda, with a particular focus on marginalized young women.
Together, these projects will benefit more than 66,000 young people across Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda, helping them build sustainable livelihoods in the green and digital economies.
At the G20 development ministers’ meeting in Skukuza, South Africa, Secretary of State Sarai represented Canada in high-level discussions on global development priorities, including curbing illicit financial flows and strengthening social protection systems.
He also held bilateral meetings with counterparts, including Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, Norway’s Minister of International Development; Hisashi Matsumoto, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania A. Al Mashat to exchange perspectives and explore opportunities for further collaboration.
Quotes
“By linking development with inclusive trade and investment, we are helping to build the foundations for long-term prosperity. Canada is working with African partners to advance shared priorities—from education and health to climate resilience and inclusive economic growth. My visit to Ethiopia and Tanzania and participation in the G20 development ministers’ meeting in South Africa reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to meaningful collaboration and sustainable development that empower communities, especially women and youths, across the continent.”
- Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development)
Quick facts
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Ethiopia is a top recipient of Canada’s international assistance. In fiscal year 2023 to 2024, it received $195.3 million in funding, including funding from Global Affairs Canada for development, humanitarian and peacebuilding assistance, as well as funding from other federal departments.
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Tanzania is one of the largest recipients of Canada’s international assistance, and it received $141.11 million in funding in fiscal year 2023 to 2024. Canada has contributed $3.9 billion in funding for development assistance in Tanzania since its independence in 1961.
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In 2024, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Tanzania totaled $108.6 million, consisting of $79.3 million in exports to, and $29.3 million in imports from Tanzania.
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In 2024, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Ethiopia totaled $102.3 million. This consisted of $38.2 million in exports and $64.1 million in imports from Ethiopia.
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In March 2025, Canada launched Canada’s Africa Strategy: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity and Security. This strategy is designed to benefit Canadian and African partners, and it contributes to Canada and Africa’s collective economic prosperity, as well as to global health, peace and security.
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The G20 serves as the primary forum for international economic cooperation among its members. Its members include the world’s major developed and emerging economies, and they are located on all the inhabited continents.
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Contacts
Shanti Cosentino
Director of Communications
Office of the Secretary of State (International Development)
Shanti.Cosentino@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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