The economic surge of a youthful Africa offers Canada a chance to diversify trade beyond the erratic United States.
20 YEARS AGO PM CHRETIEN MADE AFRICA
20 YEARS AGO PM CHRETIEN MADE AFRICA
A CANADIAN TRADING PARTNER
Workers unload cargo at Lamu Port in Kenya shortly after it opened in 2021. It was built by the China Communications Construction Company ZHANG NANFANG /XINHUA/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
by Zack Ahmed
Workers unload cargo at Lamu Port in Kenya shortly after it opened in 2021. It was built by the China Communications Construction Company ZHANG NANFANG /XINHUA/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
by Zack Ahmed
February 26, 2025
POLICY OPTIONS
As Canadians prepare to choose their next government in the face of a protectionist and unpredictable White House, Canada risks turning inward as it stands on guard for its economy and jobs.
While this might seem like the intuitive move when facing such an unfamiliar and erratic landscape, Canada may be overlooking a largely untapped economic behemoth staring at us from across the Atlantic.
No matter who wins the next election and whether they form a majority or a minority in Parliament, debates surrounding the economy and immigration will shape the national dialogue. All the while, much attention will unavoidably continue to be directed south of the border.
A rising economic power
All these events and their intended and unintended consequences provide a unique moment to up Canada’s engagement with Africa – for mutual benefit.
Initiatives such as the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) and Canada-Africa Economic Cooperation Strategy (CA-ECS) were introduced by the current Liberal government. Still, Canada’s engagement with African nations remains limited in breadth, nuance and co-ordination.
Africa’s rapid demographic and economic boom presents an extraordinary opportunity as well as corresponding challenges.
Africa’s population boom is one of the most striking developments in the 21st century. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the continent will be home to roughly 2.5 billion people by 2050, many of whom will be under the age of 25.
This represents not only a vast consumer base, but also a burgeoning pool of entrepreneurial talent and a potential workforce that could spur innovation across multiple sectors. At the same time, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that Africa is already grappling with disruptions tied to climate change – from droughts and floods to resource scarcity – which invariably fuels conflict and displacement at large scales.
Economic data paints a clear picture that Africa merits closer attention and greater cooperation. In recent years, countries such as Ethiopia and Côte d’Ivoire have posted GDP growth rates that outpace the global average, showing that African economies are poised to become drivers of global prosperity.
And while free trade in North America appears to be coming apart at the seams, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), an ambitious initiative uniting 1.5 billion people within a single market, is projected to be worth more than US$3.4 trillion, radically transforming Africa’s trade and economic landscape.
For Canada, which has traditionally relied on the United States as its chief trading partner, these developments suggest that failing to open greater dialogue with Africa runs the risk of missing out on valuable opportunities for trade, investment and innovation.
Trade diversification and climate
With protectionist currents rising not just in the U.S. but around the world, a future-oriented approach to trade diversification is in Canada’s best interest. This has been further amplified by the re-election of a mercantilist President Donald Trump and his tariff rattling threats.
A more balanced approach that actively incorporates emerging African markets can help reduce Canada’s exposure to such risks.
Such an initiative could involve a specialized task force within Global Affairs Canada that focuses on opening up new trade partnerships with AfCFTA member states. Collaborating with Export Development Canada would help ease financial risks and provide support for Canadian businesses seeking entry into these dynamic new markets.
Climate security is another realm in which Canada has much to gain by working collaboratively with African nations.
Climate change already influences migration patterns, fuels resource-driven conflicts, and strains humanitarian systems – challenges that extend far beyond national borders. By forging consensus on climate adaptation, water resource management, and renewable energy, Canada could bolster regional stability while also opening new market possibilities for its clean-energy and tech sectors.
These joint efforts might take shape under a Canada-Africa Climate Security Partnership, bringing together government agencies, NGOs, businesses, and academic institutions to share knowledge, build capacity and develop early warning systems for climate-related emergencies.
The power of the African diaspora
Equally pivotal is the role of the African diaspora in Canada. Immigration has been a cornerstone of this country’s growth, and Africa offers unique avenues for cross-continental innovation and collaboration.
Skilled professionals in fields such as healthcare, engineering and technology can help Canadian businesses tailor products and services to local markets and navigate potential cultural and regulatory barriers. Encouraging diaspora-led trade missions and entrepreneurial accelerators, supported by local and provincial governments, could foster meaningful alliances that benefit both Canada and African economies.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada might explore more specialized pathways and scholarship programs to bring African professionals and students to Canada, thereby enriching our talent pool and strengthening bonds between the two regions.
Ultimately, viewing Africa solely through the lens of economic potential or humanitarian assistance is too limiting. Its youthful population and evolving institutions point to great untapped potential for transatlantic collaboration.
By respecting African ownership of local development priorities and by engaging in long-term, capacity-building partnerships, Canada can position itself not just as a donor or a market-seeker but as a genuine long-term ally in Africa’s ongoing transformation.
Looking ahead, the next government has a rare opportunity to recalibrate Canada’s foreign policy strategy in a way that better aligns with a rapidly changing global order. By diversifying trade beyond traditional partners, strengthening ties through climate security initiatives, and fully harnessing the power of the African diaspora, Canada can safeguard its own economic and geopolitical interests while becoming a key contributor to Africa’s development goals.
As Canadians prepare to choose their next government in the face of a protectionist and unpredictable White House, Canada risks turning inward as it stands on guard for its economy and jobs.
While this might seem like the intuitive move when facing such an unfamiliar and erratic landscape, Canada may be overlooking a largely untapped economic behemoth staring at us from across the Atlantic.
No matter who wins the next election and whether they form a majority or a minority in Parliament, debates surrounding the economy and immigration will shape the national dialogue. All the while, much attention will unavoidably continue to be directed south of the border.
A rising economic power
All these events and their intended and unintended consequences provide a unique moment to up Canada’s engagement with Africa – for mutual benefit.
Initiatives such as the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) and Canada-Africa Economic Cooperation Strategy (CA-ECS) were introduced by the current Liberal government. Still, Canada’s engagement with African nations remains limited in breadth, nuance and co-ordination.
Africa’s rapid demographic and economic boom presents an extraordinary opportunity as well as corresponding challenges.
Africa’s population boom is one of the most striking developments in the 21st century. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the continent will be home to roughly 2.5 billion people by 2050, many of whom will be under the age of 25.
This represents not only a vast consumer base, but also a burgeoning pool of entrepreneurial talent and a potential workforce that could spur innovation across multiple sectors. At the same time, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that Africa is already grappling with disruptions tied to climate change – from droughts and floods to resource scarcity – which invariably fuels conflict and displacement at large scales.
Economic data paints a clear picture that Africa merits closer attention and greater cooperation. In recent years, countries such as Ethiopia and Côte d’Ivoire have posted GDP growth rates that outpace the global average, showing that African economies are poised to become drivers of global prosperity.
And while free trade in North America appears to be coming apart at the seams, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), an ambitious initiative uniting 1.5 billion people within a single market, is projected to be worth more than US$3.4 trillion, radically transforming Africa’s trade and economic landscape.
For Canada, which has traditionally relied on the United States as its chief trading partner, these developments suggest that failing to open greater dialogue with Africa runs the risk of missing out on valuable opportunities for trade, investment and innovation.
Trade diversification and climate
With protectionist currents rising not just in the U.S. but around the world, a future-oriented approach to trade diversification is in Canada’s best interest. This has been further amplified by the re-election of a mercantilist President Donald Trump and his tariff rattling threats.
A more balanced approach that actively incorporates emerging African markets can help reduce Canada’s exposure to such risks.
Such an initiative could involve a specialized task force within Global Affairs Canada that focuses on opening up new trade partnerships with AfCFTA member states. Collaborating with Export Development Canada would help ease financial risks and provide support for Canadian businesses seeking entry into these dynamic new markets.
Climate security is another realm in which Canada has much to gain by working collaboratively with African nations.
Climate change already influences migration patterns, fuels resource-driven conflicts, and strains humanitarian systems – challenges that extend far beyond national borders. By forging consensus on climate adaptation, water resource management, and renewable energy, Canada could bolster regional stability while also opening new market possibilities for its clean-energy and tech sectors.
These joint efforts might take shape under a Canada-Africa Climate Security Partnership, bringing together government agencies, NGOs, businesses, and academic institutions to share knowledge, build capacity and develop early warning systems for climate-related emergencies.
The power of the African diaspora
Equally pivotal is the role of the African diaspora in Canada. Immigration has been a cornerstone of this country’s growth, and Africa offers unique avenues for cross-continental innovation and collaboration.
Skilled professionals in fields such as healthcare, engineering and technology can help Canadian businesses tailor products and services to local markets and navigate potential cultural and regulatory barriers. Encouraging diaspora-led trade missions and entrepreneurial accelerators, supported by local and provincial governments, could foster meaningful alliances that benefit both Canada and African economies.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada might explore more specialized pathways and scholarship programs to bring African professionals and students to Canada, thereby enriching our talent pool and strengthening bonds between the two regions.
Ultimately, viewing Africa solely through the lens of economic potential or humanitarian assistance is too limiting. Its youthful population and evolving institutions point to great untapped potential for transatlantic collaboration.
By respecting African ownership of local development priorities and by engaging in long-term, capacity-building partnerships, Canada can position itself not just as a donor or a market-seeker but as a genuine long-term ally in Africa’s ongoing transformation.
Looking ahead, the next government has a rare opportunity to recalibrate Canada’s foreign policy strategy in a way that better aligns with a rapidly changing global order. By diversifying trade beyond traditional partners, strengthening ties through climate security initiatives, and fully harnessing the power of the African diaspora, Canada can safeguard its own economic and geopolitical interests while becoming a key contributor to Africa’s development goals.
Zack Ahmed is a SSHRC doctoral fellow in global governance at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and a researcher with MIFOOD Networks. With more than 14 years of experience in public policy, global governance and international development, he has worked on cross-sectoral projects - spanning private, public, and non-profit organizations across Africa and Canada.
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