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

H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat,and The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, have had a discussion focused on strengthening Africa–Canada trade and investment relations within a changing global economic environment.

The discussions underscored the importance of diversified supply chains, rules-based trade, and stronger economic partnerships amid growing global economic fragmentation.

The engagement recognised the AfCFTA as a strategic framework for advancing industrialisation, investment, and intra-African trade, while creating opportunities for deeper Canada–Africa economic cooperation across sectors including manufacturing, critical minerals, digital trade, energy, infrastructure, SMEs, women, and youth.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of translating the AfCFTA and Canada–Africa Strategy into practical and mutually beneficial outcomes through structured collaboration and investment-led partnerships.

Wamkele Mene also participated in an In Conversation session in Ottawa with stakeholders on the realities of doing business in Africa within an increasingly complex global economic environment.

Discussions focused on trade finance, investment partnerships, supply chain participation, and the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area in transforming Africa’s trade and investment landscape into investable opportunities across sectors such as logistics, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.

The conversation also underscored the importance of strengthening Canada–Africa collaboration, increasing private sector investment, and placing SMEs, women, and youth-led enterprises at the centre of future trade and investment partnerships.