The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business have entered into a strategic partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan. The agreement marks a pivotal moment in advancing trade and investment relations between Africa and Canada.
The MoU was formalized at a reception hosted at the Canadian Embassy in Abidjan. The signatories were Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Founder and Chairperson of the APN, and Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business. The event was attended by H.E. Anderson Blanc, Canada’s Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, who applauded the agreement as a model of private-sector leadership aligned with broader diplomatic goals.
Mr. Otchere-Darko emphasized the importance of Africa in Canada’s trade diversification strategy, highlighting the continent’s fast-growing middle class and consumer potential. He pointed out that while Canada's global export expansion goal—set in 2018—has faced headwinds, including the COVID-19 pandemic and an initial focus on the Asia-Pacific, Africa presents a critical and underleveraged opportunity.
"Africa is serious about building its single market of 1.5 billion people. With the African middle class expected to reach half a billion by 2030, Canada must look to Africa to realize its trade diversification ambitions," Otchere-Darko stated.
Retired Ambassador St-Onge, who previously led Pan African Affairs for the Canadian government, underscored the practical value of the agreement. She noted that the MoU includes concrete commitments for reciprocal program engagement and sets the foundation for joint initiatives to boost Africa-Canada trade.
“This partnership will support tangible collaboration to fast-track economic integration between Canadian and African markets,” she said, also thanking former Board Chair Sebastian Spio-Garbrah for his leadership in advancing the initiative.
Ambassador Blanc welcomed the partnership as a complement to Canada’s diplomatic efforts to strengthen Africa-Canada ties.
The agreement comes at a timely moment, as both organizations seek to capitalize on the momentum created by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and shared objectives of sustainable development, private sector growth, and strategic economic alliances.
About the Africa Prosperity Network (APN):
A non-profit organization headquartered in Accra, Ghana, APN leads initiatives under the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Its signature event, the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD), brings together leaders from across the continent to advance practical implementation of AfCFTA commitments.
About the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business:
Established in 1994, the Toronto-based Chamber is a non-profit institution with a continent-wide focus. It serves as a platform for private-sector networking, knowledge sharing, and accelerating investment flows between Canada and African markets.
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