AfCFTA Boss, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada discuss strengthening of Africa–Canada trade and investment relations

Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, has held high-level discussions with Anita Anand, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, on strengthening trade and investment relations between Africa and Canada amid growing uncertainty in the global economy.

The meeting focused on expanding economic cooperation between Canada and African countries under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while addressing challenges posed by global economic fragmentation, supply chain disruptions, and changing international trade dynamics.

According to participants, the discussions highlighted the increasing importance of diversified supply chains, rules-based international trade, and stronger bilateral and multilateral partnerships in ensuring long-term economic resilience.

Both sides recognised the AfCFTA as a major strategic platform for accelerating industrialisation, promoting intra-African trade, attracting investment, and strengthening Africa’s position within the global economy.

The engagement further explored opportunities for deeper Canada–Africa cooperation across several priority sectors, including manufacturing, critical minerals, digital trade, energy, infrastructure development, and agriculture.

Special attention was also given to the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as women- and youth-led businesses, in driving inclusive economic growth and cross-border trade opportunities.

Officials stressed the importance of moving beyond policy discussions to implementing practical, investment-driven partnerships capable of delivering measurable economic benefits for both Africa and Canada.

The meeting also emphasised the need to align the objectives of the AfCFTA with Canada’s broader Africa Strategy in order to create sustainable and mutually beneficial trade relationships.

As part of his visit to Ottawa, Mr. Mene additionally participated in an “In Conversation” session with business leaders, investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders to discuss the realities and opportunities of doing business in Africa within an increasingly complex global economic environment.

The discussions during the session centred on trade finance, investment partnerships, supply chain integration, and the role of AfCFTA in transforming Africa’s trade and investment landscape into viable opportunities for global investors.

Participants also explored emerging opportunities across sectors such as logistics, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing, while examining ways to strengthen private sector participation in Africa’s economic transformation agenda.

The conversation further underscored the importance of increasing Canadian private sector investment in Africa and ensuring that SMEs, women entrepreneurs, and youth-led enterprises remain central to future trade and investment partnerships between the two regions.