Conversation Canada-Africa 2025: What Black Organizations Need to Know

At a symposium dedicated to Afro-descendant entrepreneurship, experts, business leaders, and diplomats delivered a clear-eyed assessment: Canada is facing a major strategic and perceptual lag on the African continent. Moving beyond conventional rhetoric, the speakers advocated for pragmatic economic cooperation, greater recognition of African expertise, and increased political mobilization within diaspora communities.

A Tribute to Community Resilience

Before addressing geopolitical issues, the session featured a vibrant tribute to Henriette Candoua, an iconic figure in entrepreneurship and a pillar of the Black Communities Observatory (Observatoire des communautés noires). Her journey embodies the continuity necessary for economic development, long before current institutional programs were established.

"Henriette was there when we needed to start talking to each other, even when we were very few," a speaker noted during the introduction, recalling the foundational role of the Table en développement économique de la communauté (Tadeek). "Her message has always been the same: the community will move forward when we work together, regardless of our origins, whether Haitian, African, Caribbean, or Anglophone."

The "Perception Gap" and the Myth of Corruption

The debate quickly highlighted the psychological and structural barriers hindering Canadian investments in Africa. According to Carl Mville de Chaîn, Vice-President of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Commerce, the main obstacle is not a lack of opportunities, but a glaring lack of on-the-ground knowledge.

"It is a perception gap. We are ignorant, and often, when we are ignorant, we invent an unreal story," he stated, illustrating his point with an anecdote about a Canadian businessman who refused to travel to West Africa out of a literal fear of "being devoured upon exiting the airplane."

Ambassador Aya Apolinet, Ambassador of the Republic of Congo to Canada and Coordinator of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors, agreed, deconstructing the stereotype of endemic corruption. "Corruption is a fact that plagues most countries, including developed ones. But gradually, mechanisms are being put in place to reduce it," he explained, citing Botswana, which is regularly ranked among the least corrupt countries in the world. He also reminded the audience that Africa is not a poor continent, but a space endowed with young human capital and major strategic resources.

A Canadian Strategy in Search of Credibility

The panelists were particularly critical of Canada’s recent "Strategy for Africa." In their view, the document suffers from a lack of funding and genuine consultation.

"We are summoned to a room and fed incredible statements, without anyone knowing what Canada actually means by 'partnership'," Ambassador Apolinet deplored. He also raised the thorny issue of brain drain, noting that African states invest billions to train students who, once graduated in Canada, stay there. "We told Canada: if you want to retain this human capital, reimburse the training costs to Africa."

Carl Mville de Chaîn added that the diaspora is largely absent from the formulation of these policies. "We publish a 60-page plan, but there is no budget, no timeline. What is needed is to engage in an intelligent dialogue with the diasporas, who are the primary representatives of Africa on this territory."

The Imperative of Unification and Political Engagement

Faced with this reality, the solution proposed by the panelists relies on a structured mobilization of Afro-descendant communities. With nearly 450 diaspora associations identified across Canada, the fragmentation of efforts remains a major challenge.

"Unifying our voices is key. If Africans in Canada could find a single vector to speak with one voice, we would be able to make ourselves heard with strength and vigor," insisted Mr. Mville de Chaîn.

The Ambassador, for his part, invited entrepreneurs to use diplomatic channels not merely as visa offices, but as true business facilitation levers. "Our decision-makers are accessible. My role is to accompany you so you don't waste your time. True corruption is the loss of time."

In closing, audience members reminded the panel that this mobilization must also play out on the Canadian political stage. As one participant formulated it, the diaspora must actively engage in the local democratic process: "If politicians know that we mobilize and that we vote, I am certain that government programs will finally integrate our priorities."

The message is now clear: for Canada not to miss the train of African development—already heavily sought after by China, the US, and Europe—the diaspora must transition from spectators to strategic, united, and influential actors.

https://youtu.be/tDlb_ChvK2s