Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire, 13 May 2025—The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business wish to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan. This marks a significant milestone in strengthening economic partnerships between Africa and Canada.
The MoU was formalised during a prestigious reception hosted at the Canadian Embassy, with signatories Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Founder & Chairperson of the Africa Prosperity Network, and Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business. The ceremony was honoured by the presence of H.E. Anderson Blanc, Canada’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Otchere-Darko further highlighted the mutual benefits of the partnership: “We recognise that back in 2018, Canada embarked on an ambitious project to globally connect the Canadian market and grow her exports by 50% by 2025. This target has faced challenges, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, because of Canada’s primary focus on trade diversification geared towards the Asia-Pacific region. This is understandable as the region’s growing middle class is well-documented. But, we believe that for Canada to achieve its trade diversification ambitions, it must look more intently towards Africa,” Mr Otchere-Darko suggested strongly.
“Africa is serious about building its single market of 1.5 billion people and a fast-growing middle class. In 2011, the African Development Bank estimated that the middle class in Africa comprised over 34% of the population, a figure that has grown significantly since then. We anticipate this reaching half a billion people by 2030, demonstrating the substantial consumer capacity for trade. Canada’s diversification strategy needs to prioritise Africa, and we are confident this collaboration will help facilitate that process,” the Founder of APN concluded.
Retired Ambassador St-Onge, who previously served as Director General for Pan African Affairs in the Government of Canada, emphasised the practical implications of the agreement: “This MoU includes tangible commitments to reciprocity between our organisations’ extensive programme offerings and establishes a framework for new collaborative initiatives that will directly support the acceleration of Africa-Canada trade and investment.”
“I would like to extend special thanks to former Board Chair Sebastian Spio-Garbrah for his leadership in bringing this initiative to fruition,” added St-Onge during her remarks at the Opening Reception of the Canada Programme during the Africa CEO Forum, where the Canada-Africa Chamber served as an official partner with private sector support.
H.E. Anderson Blanc, Canada’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, welcomed the partnership: “This MoU represents the type of private sector leadership that complements our diplomatic efforts to strengthen Canada-Africa relations. We are pleased to witness this commitment to structured collaboration between two organisations that share the goal of sustainable economic development through increased trade and investment.”
About The Africa Prosperity Network
The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) is a private non-profit organisation founded to advance the vision of “Africa We Want,” as outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063. It strives to promote Africa’s progress, independent of external aid. The Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) series offers a strategic platform where movers and shakers across Africa elevate the continent’s economic integration objectives from ambition to real action.
Set in Accra, the APD is a one-of-a-kind event where African leaders from diverse areas of national endeavour gather each year to expedite, among other things, the implementation of the agreed initiatives within the AfCFTA trade bloc and shape the Africa Agenda for Action.
For more information, visit: www.africaprosperitynetwork.com
About The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business
Founded in 1994, the Chamber is based in Toronto with members located throughout Canada and African markets. The Chamber is an independent, not-for-profit organisation with strong working links with both Canadian and African businesses and governments. ‘Our membership rates are provided thanks to the generous support of several existing private sector members who sponsor the Chamber,’ says Chamber President Garreth Bloor.
“We do not receive government grant funding and thank our generous supporters for ensuring we can deliver our mission – as a proudly independent Not-for-Profit organisation, dedicated to accelerating trade and investment through world-class networking and information-sharing events.
APN Communication Directorate: Media Contact:
Joel Krampa Haba-Maria Konaré
Communication Lead Office of the President
Tel: +233201369105 Tel: +1.437.780.8340
Email: j.krampa@africaprosperit.network Email: haba-maria@canadaafrica.ca
For general inquiries: For general inquiries:
info@africaprosperity.network press@canadaafrica.ca
Signed
APN, Communication Directorate To all Media Houses