The Economic Dimension of the Canada Strategy for Africa: One Year On – Progress, Partnerships, and Prospects
March 5, 2026, 2 to 3:30 PM, ET
An Africa Study Group Event, in Partnership with the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs of Carleton University
REGISTRATION LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5t_3na4iTBWxI-PNCEE44w.
In March 2025, Canada launched its first Strategy for Africa as a comprehensive framework to redefine and strengthen its engagement with African countries across political, economic, development, security, and people-to-people dimensions. The economic pillar of the strategy places particular emphasis on sustainable trade, investment, private sector development, infrastructure, clean energy, digital transformation, and inclusive growth. Under the Carney Doctrine, there have been major shifts in Canadian foreign policy. At Davos, the PM called on Canadians (as well as the international community) to look at the “real” world, acknowledge the loss of the “rules-based order” and actively and energetically diversify our economic relations. Many countries have developed and implemented economic (that is, trade and investment) strategies towards Africa, but the Canadian involvement (outside large-scale mining) has been limited to date. The economic dimension of the Canada-Africa Strategy needs to be enhanced. With this Webinar the Africa Study Group (ASG) is assembling a panel for dialogue amongst policymakers, researchers, the Canadian African diaspora, private sector actors, and government actors, to provide insights into how the economic dimension of the Canada-Africa Strategy can translate into concrete outcomes.
Speakers:
- Andrew (Drew) Smith, Director General, Pan-African Affairs Bureau, Global Affairs Canada, Africa Branch
- Edward Ansah Akuffo, Associate Professor of International Relations, Chair Department of Political Science, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford
- Suzanne Taylor, Principal of Public Policy and Partnerships, FinDev Canada
Moderator: Yiagadeesen (Teddy) Samy, Carleton University NPSIA Director and Professor of International Affairs
