By Jackson Igdinosun, President & CEO AfriCanada Commerce Exchange
In an innovative initiative aimed at fostering economic growth and sustainable development, the Africanada Summit is set to take place from March 21-22, 2024, at the Ontario Investment & Trade Centre, Toronto, Canada. This year’s theme, “Canadian CleanTech and Renewable Energy Solutions for Power Africa Initiatives,” underscores a commitment to leveraging Canadian innovation in clean technology and renewable energy to support Africa’s prosperity and environmental sustainability.
The Summit’s objectives are ambitious yet critical: to unleash Africa’s entrepreneurial talent in the Canadian market and underscore entrepreneurship as the cornerstone of Canada’s economic prosperity. Through a series of discussions, workshops, and networking events, the Summit aims to highlight the importance of Canada’s small, medium-sized, and large enterprises in driving Canada’s prosperity while offering tools and resources through key economic agencies of the Government of Canada for local businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive and flourish.
Integral to achieving these objectives is the role of Corporate Canada and key economic development agencies, which are essential in shaping and driving Canada’s economic prosperity. Organizations such as:
- – Export Development Canada (EDC)
- – Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
- – Canada Commercial Corporation (CCC)
- – National Research Council (NRC) Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
- – TD Bank Group
- – VentureLab
- – TMX Group (Toronto Stock Exchange/TSX Venture Exchange)
- – Byron A. Martin Production, Inc.
- – Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
- – City of Brampton Economic Development Unit
- – The Canadian Mortgage and House Corp. (CMHC)
- – Trade Commissioner Services of the government of Canada (TCS)
- – Alterna Savings
- – Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA)
- – Efficiency Canada (EE)
- – Ontario Ministry Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade (MEDJCT)
- – Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, Skills Development (MLITSD)
- – Ontario immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- – Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship of Canada (IRCC)
- – Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
- – Bizconnect Africa
- – Globalstratos
- – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
- – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and others, all play a crucial role in this ecosystem.
The Hon. Judy A. Sgro, Member of Parliament for Humber River – Black Creek and Chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade, praised the Summit’s vision, stating, “The Africanada Summit is a testimony to the power of international collaboration. It not only showcases the potential for Canadian businesses in Africa but also highlights the importance of sustainable and responsible investment in powering Africa’s future.”
This year’s Summit places a significant emphasis on the role of agri-preneurs in transforming the agricultural sector. Recognizing the critical importance of agriculture in Africa’s economy and the potential for technological innovation, the Summit will explore opportunities for agri-preneurs to connect with Canadian businesses, fostering a supply value chain that is both sustainable and technologically driven. This focus aims to enhance accessibility to Canadian markets for African agricultural products and innovations, thereby contributing to prosperity on both continents.
The Summit will cover a wide range of topics, including the intersection of data privacy, AI, and cybersecurity; ethical, legal and societal implications of AI; regenerative practices; regional policy frameworks for economic growth, responsible foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); and strategies for transitioning to a green economy. Additionally, discussions will focus on expanding Africa’s digital infrastructure footprint, economic empowerment for women, and the Canada-Africa Economic Cooperation Strategy.
To learn more about the summit: https://africanadasummit.com
