Government Relations Directory
Canada–Africa Relations
A directory for major institutions to engage the Canadian government through CASIPA. Canada’s presence in Africa serves all 54 countries on the continent. This page consolidates Canada’s bilateral priorities and provides a channel for institutional outreach to Global Affairs Canada.
Your ideas for strengthening Canada–Africa ties
Do you have a connection to Africa and thoughts on Global Affairs Canada’s engagement with Africa, including on how Canada could expand its trade and economic ties with African partners? CASIPA invites you to share your perspectives at innovation@casipa.ca.
For questions or to exercise your rights, send an email to innovation@casipa.ca.
Overview
Canada’s presence in Africa
Canada’s presence in Africa serves all 54 countries on the continent with 27 diplomatic missions. Canada also has 21 bilateral development programs in Africa, a pan-African regional development program and a sub-regional program covering the Sahel.
In Canada, 1.3 million people report being of African origin, with about 66% being first-generation immigrants (2021 census).
Canada’s key engagement and priorities in Africa are:
Increasing economic cooperation
Contributing to shared prosperity by helping Canadian private sector and African partners find mutually beneficial commercial deals.
Strengthening partnerships
Robust strategic engagement with the African Union, African Development Bank, La Francophonie, and the Commonwealth.
International development assistance
Providing development assistance towards poverty eradication through the Feminist International Assistance Policy.
Peace, security, democracy and human rights
Promoting an integrated approach to security, development, and regional cooperation across the continent.
Economic cooperation
Shared prosperity through commercial exchange
The central objective of Canada’s economic cooperation with Africa is to contribute to shared prosperity for all parties by helping Canadian private sector and their African partners to find mutually beneficial commercial deals.
Canadian companies have access to a network of trade commissioners who work with them to identify and pursue international opportunities. As of 2025, the Trade Commissioner Service has 53 Canadian and locally engaged trade commissioners across 20 offices in Africa.
53
Trade commissioners across 20 offices in Africa
40
African countries with duty-free access (LDCT)
13%
Growth in Canada-to-Africa merchandise exports (2019–2024)
109%
Growth in Africa-to-Canada imports (2019–2024)
Duty-free access and investment protection
Forty African countries benefit from duty-free access to the Canadian market on almost all goods through the Least Developed Country Tariff (LDCT).
Canada has Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (FIPAs) with the following African countries, and is negotiating FIPAs with several more. These agreements contribute to a more predictable investment climate for Canadian private sector, encouraging Canadian investment in Africa.
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Canada provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to African countries to help them effectively implement the AfCFTA. It is a flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 that aims to accelerate intra-African trade and boost Africa’s global trading position. This initiative offers significant economic opportunities for Canadian businesses.
Strengthening partnerships
Multilateral engagement and institutional collaboration
In addition to bilateral engagement, Canada collaborates with Africa and African countries through organizations such as the African Union (AU), the African Development Bank, La Francophonie, and the Commonwealth. Robust strategic engagement with African partners aims to increase and diversify trade, investment and innovation opportunities to benefit both African and Canadian people and businesses.
Strengthening ties with the AU is a key priority. Canada has hosted two Canada–African Union Commission High-Level Dialogues (in 2022 and 2024) to advance this engagement. In 2023, a permanent representative to the African Union was appointed. In March 2025, Canada’s Special Envoy for Africa and Special Envoy for the Sahel were appointed.
African Union (AU)
Two Canada–AU Commission High-Level Dialogues (2022 and 2024). Permanent representative appointed in 2023. Special Envoys for Africa and the Sahel appointed in March 2025.
Multilateral Fora
Collaboration through the G7, G20, UN, and WTO. Canada welcomed the AU as a new G20 member in 2023 and looks forward to working closely with South Africa at the first G20 Summit on African soil in 2025.
African Development Bank
Active collaboration with the AfDB on continental development finance, infrastructure, and private sector growth initiatives.
International assistance
Development guided by the Feminist International Assistance Policy
Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) guides the delivery of Canada’s international assistance. Between 2017–18 and 2022–23, Canada provided $18.4 billion in international assistance to sub-Saharan Africa. Canada’s international assistance is supporting efforts to improve the lives of the poorest and most marginalized through better health, nutrition, food security, education and economic well-being.
$18.4B
International assistance to sub-Saharan Africa (2017–18 to 2022–23)
1 in 4
People on the planet will live in Africa by 2050
$3T
Estimated consumer spending driven by Africa’s demographic growth
30%
Of the world’s critical minerals are in Africa
By 2050, 1 in 4 people on the planet will live in Africa. This demographic could drive adjustments to global growth with an estimated USD 3 trillion in consumer spending. Africa boasts diverse ecosystems and abundant resources. These include 30% of the world’s critical minerals and 60% of its solar energy potential.
Peace, security, democracy and human rights
An integrated approach to security and development
Canada promotes the adoption of an integrated approach to security, development, and regional cooperation. Canada works to enable the delivery of humanitarian and international development assistance in volatile areas. Canada’s renewed approach to engaging with Africa includes:
Support to youth and women engaged in peace processes
Support to community-led conflict-prevention in Darfur and civilian-led political process throughout Sudan
Investments in counterterrorism capacity and threat resilience
Work to prevent violent extremism, as well as sexual and gender-based violence
News
Recent updates on Canada–Africa engagement
Canada reinforces partnerships with African countries and institutions to strengthen diplomatic relations, collaboration, economic development and stronger ties in Canada and globally
Canada and African Union Commission to host High-Level and Trade Policy dialogues
Backgrounder — Canada’s flagship initiatives to support its partnership with Africa
Consultation — Launch of public consultations on Canada’s approach to partnerships in Africa
Related links
- Canada’s Africa Strategy: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity and Security
- Trade Commissioner Service
- International trade and development: Export, import and invest in Canada and foreign markets
- CanExport SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises)
- Support for exporters from diverse backgrounds
Institutional outreach through CASIPA
Channel your perspectives to the Canadian government
CASIPA serves as a conduit for major institutions — governments, multilateral organisations, universities, development finance institutions, and corporations — seeking to share perspectives with Global Affairs Canada on Africa engagement. Submit your perspectives through CASIPA and we will route them to the appropriate counterparts.