Canada’s Africa Strategy: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity and Security

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development and the Minister of International Development, 2025

Catalogue number: FR5-237/2025E-PDF
ISBN: 978-0-660-75923-4

Table of contents

• Summary
• Renewed engagement with African countries, institutions and people
• Africa’s importance on the global stage
• Economic growth potential
• Peace and security challenges
• Building sustainability and saving lives in humanitarian crises
• Building on a strong history of cooperation
• Cooperation built on a trusted partnership
• 1) Strengthening Canada’s diplomatic engagement and people-to-people ties
• 2) Enhancing economic cooperation
• 3) Reducing poverty supporting economic development, empowering youth, and assisting in humanitarian crises and climate adaptation
• 4) Bolstering partnerships for peace, security and human rights
• 5) Advancing shared priorities through increased engagement on the global stage
• Canada’s Diplomatic Presence in Africa

Summary

As African countries and institutions rapidly evolve, so too must Canada’s engagement. At a time of global economic and geo-political volatility, Canada must seize opportunities to strengthen its economic and national security, including through diversifying its investments, improving supply chain resiliency, enhancing peace, security and human rights and contributing to efforts that maintain transport routes for critical goods, while promoting local benefits in Africa.

In this context, the Government of Canada is launching Canada’s Africa Strategy: A partnership for shared prosperity and security. This new foreign policy represents a strengthening of Canada’s engagement with Africa, toward greater economic cooperation, strengthened peace and security partnerships, enhanced engagement of African diaspora communities in Canada, and international assistance that supports economic development and youth employment.

Canada will work with African partners across 5 strategic areas, that are aligned with the African Union’s "Agenda 2063" and informed by numerous consultations with African, Canadian, and international stakeholders:

1. Strengthening our diplomatic engagement and people-to-people ties, including through new special envoys and embassies, expanded collaboration with the regional economic communities and parliaments, and a new diaspora engagement mechanism
2. Enhancing economic cooperation, including through a high-level trade mission to Africa, the creation of an Africa Trade Hub, additional support for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), negotiation of foreign investment promotion and protection agreements (FIPAs) and research partnerships
3. Reducing poverty, supporting economic development, empowering youth, assisting in humanitarian crises and climate adaptation, including through a new Africa Trade and Development Program, a new office of FinDev Canada, Canada’s bilateral development finance institution, in South Africa, investing in renewable energy and infrastructure, investing in youth and skills training, prioritizing the mobilization of finance, supporting adaptation and addressing biodiversity loss through Canada’s $5.3-billion climate finance envelope, and building on decades of cooperation in global health and nutrition
4. Bolstering partnerships for peace, security and human rights, including by supporting African-led peace operations and conflict prevention initiatives, promoting the role of women and youth in peace and security, strengthening democracy and human rights, a revised Canadian approach to the Sahel, and the provision of technical assistance and support against numerous threats
5. Advancing shared priorities through increased engagement on the global stage, including by continuing to support increased African participation and influence in multilateral spaces and by working closely with African partners to address global challenges and opportunities

Over the past 5 years, Canada has significantly stepped up its political engagement with Africa. This has included leader-level high-level dialogues with the African Union Commission, the naming of new special envoys, a new embassy and 2 new high commissions. Canada has invested approximately $4.5 billion in bilateral international assistance programming in Africa over the past 5 years to build African economies, support health and education and respond to humanitarian needs. International assistance for Africa has increased by 52% over the past 8 years. In 2024, the value of Canada’s merchandise trade with African countries totalled $15.1 billon, an increase of nearly 30% in 5 years.

Renewed engagement with African countries, institutions and people

Canada’s engagement with Africa spans many decades, with relationships built on a strong foundation of people-to-people ties, growing commercial relations, historical Canadian leadership on development and humanitarian assistance, and a continued commitment to peace, security and human rights.

As African countries and institutions rapidly evolve, so too must Canada’s engagement. At a time of global economic and geo-political volatility and shifting demographics, Canada must seize opportunities to strengthen its economic and national security. Fostering such security includes diversifying Canadian investments, improving supply chain resiliency, enhancing peace and security, and contributing to efforts that maintain transport routes for critical goods, while promoting local benefits in Africa.

African countries, people and institutions are driving positive change across the continent. The African Union’s continental blueprint, "Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want", focuses on 7 aspirations, including inclusive growth, continental integration, good governance and the rule of law, and peace and security. This blueprint, together with Canadian needs and priorities and evolving opportunities and challenges within the global political context, informs Canada’s strategic areas of focus in working with African partners. The focus areas include:

• increasing mutually beneficial economic opportunities, including through job creation, infrastructure development and sustainable economic growth
• partnering on peace and security challenges, including preventing and responding to conflict; preventing and countering terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational crime; and strengthening democracy, human rights and inclusion in decision-making
• continued partnership on sustainable development, including investing in African youth skills-training, health, strengthening the trade and development nexus, and the continued addressing of root causes of conflict
• advancing shared priorities on the international stage to address global challenges and mutually beneficial interests, including climate change
• strengthening diplomatic and people-to-people ties at all levels, including via African diaspora communities in Canada, to support Canadian partnerships across all lines of effort

Canada’s Africa Strategy represents a robust new foreign policy designed to be beneficial to both Canadian and African partners, contributing to a collective economic prosperity, as well as global health, peace and security.

Over the last 5 years, Canada has invested approximately $4.5 billion in bilateral international assistance programming in Africa to build African economies, support health and education, and respond to humanitarian needs. International assistance for Africa has increased by 52% over the past 8 years. In 2024, the value of Canada’s merchandise trade with African countries totalled $15.1 billion, an increase of nearly than 30% in 5 years.

Canada is refocusing its resources to be more efficient and adjust to global developments, including opportunities to diversify its partnerships and supply chains with Africa.

Africa’s importance on the global stage

Africa’s role on the world stage and geopolitical relevance is growing and its influence in international organizations is expanding. Through boosting diplomatic, commercial and security ties, Canada and like-minded countries, adversaries and emerging economies are competing for influence across the continent and seeking to leverage the significant potential of the region.

With 54 countries, Africa is the largest regional voting bloc in the United Nations and is effectively exercising its ability to influence the UN agenda and its outcomes. In 2024, the African Union (AU) joined the G20 with the support of Canada, and the intergovernmental organization BRICS expanded to include Egypt and Ethiopia. In an increasingly contested world, global and regional powers are vying for African alignment on key issues.

With great power competition rising across the continent—including increasing populism and authoritarianism coupled with an erosion of respect for human rights and democracy in certain regions—there is the threat of a roll-back on hard-fought gains.

Minerals essential for the global energy transition are concentrated in Africa, and those resources are increasingly of interest to Canada’s strategic rivals. In a rapidly evolving geopolitical context, peace and security at both regional and global levels are at stake.

For instance, China’s vast political and economic footprint in Africa will have long-lasting impacts and influence on the continent’s development and global supply chains. Without attractive alternatives, all African countries but one have joined the Belt and Road Initiative, a large-scale infrastructure program that aims to anchor China at the centre of the global economy.

Building ties and influence in Africa is also of strategic importance to Russia, particularly since its 2014 annexation of Crimea. Russia’s misinformation and disinformation operations, manipulation of media and exploitation of civilian organizations has contributed to the spread of anti-Western sentiments and to the destabilization of already fragile governments in Africa. In some African countries, Russia has also sought to position itself as a security guarantor to those in power.

Other significant global actors like Türkiye, Brazil and the Gulf states are ramping up their engagement and investments in Africa. African engagement is also a strategic priority among Canada’s partners; for example, G7 nations and middle-power European partners are increasing their commitments and investments in infrastructure, energy and securing supply chains in Africa.

Economic growth potential

With one of the planet’s most diverse ecosystems, Africa’s abundant resources include 30% of the earth’s critical minerals, 60% of its solar energy potential, 25% of global biodiversity and one of the world’s largest carbon capture potentials. As such, the continent is key to the world’s green energy transition.

Africa is also home to a growing middle class and the world’s youngest population, who will soon constitute the largest global workforce. In a decade, there will be more young Africans entering the workforce each year than all young workers in the rest of the world combined.

With strong economic growth trending across many parts of Africa, continued challenges include institutional capacity alongside real and perceived peace, security and rule of law challenges that can limit economic opportunities and sustainability.

Peace and security challenges

A dynamic security landscape exists in the context of Africa’s vast diversity, long and rich history, and legacies of colonialism. Armed conflict remains a threat to peace and security in many parts of the continent. Present conflicts in Sudan and eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo impact millions of Africans but have not achieved the global attention they deserve. Terrorism is an increasing phenomenon in Africa as the continent has seen more terrorist related incidents and deaths than any other region. Terrorist incidents in the Sahel alone account for nearly half of all global terrorism-related deaths, while terrorist threats from the region risk spreading to coastal West Africa. Further, Africa remains the most significant source of naturally occurring pathogens of biological concern, samples of which are in turn sought and harvested for possible malign purposes by states and terrorist organizations.

The emergence of transnational criminal networks in Africa constitutes a multifaceted threat, including to Canada’s national security, with links between Africa and crimes directly impacting Canadians, such as auto theft and financial crimes. In some cases, criminal networks can enable terrorist and violent extremist activity through the transfer of illicit funds and trafficking in weapons, drugs and people, which points to a worrying global trend: the convergence of organized crime and terrorism.

Local insurgencies throughout Africa and malign state and non-state actors exploit protracted conflicts, societal grievances and difficult economic conditions to strengthen recruitment, while giving way to state fragility, governance erosion, and even the overthrowing of civilian governments by military or armed groups. Conflicts are compounded by malign external actors who bolster authoritarian regimes, deploy disinformation and exploit natural resources. Changes in climate, demography and increased urbanization continue to influence the nature of conflict and insecurity in Africa.

Building sustainability and saving lives in humanitarian crises

Africa is home to some of the most severe and longest-running humanitarian crises, including the ongoing and devastating respective conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Moreover, many African countries are impacted by climate-related drought and other natural disasters. According to the United Nations’ Global Humanitarian Overview for 2025, more than 141 million people, across at least 16 countries in Africa, will require urgent humanitarian assistance totalling an estimated US$19.5 billion. The most vulnerable and marginalized, particularly women and girls, are bearing the brunt of these crises.

Progress on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been made in and driven by Africa; for example, conflict-related deaths have been halved in the last decade and renewable energy investments are increasing. However, much remains to be done to mitigate barriers to SDG progress in Africa. Financing constraints—which, in many cases are exacerbated by high levels of national debt—hinder access to funding for public infrastructure and for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), limiting their capacity to grow and innovate.

More than half of the lower-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa are at high risk of or already in debt distress, according to the International Monetary Fund. The convergence of a global economic slowdown, steep drops in commodity prices, interruptions in domestic economic activity, and the financial burdens of COVID-19 containment efforts have severely impacted all African nations.

Climate change-related challenges also continue to heighten vulnerabilities, particularly among women, youths and other marginalized groups who face additional barriers to recover from climate shocks. Across the continent, the impacts of climate change and related security and development risks are becoming increasingly pronounced. By 2030, according to the World Meteorological Organization, while Africa contributes less than 10% of global emissions, climate change threatens up to 118 million of the poorest Africans, exposing them to droughts, floods and extreme heat.

Building on a strong history of cooperation

Canada has maintained strong diplomatic relations across Africa for over 70 years. Playing a key role in Africa’s educational, health and social development, Canada has been at the forefront with financial and technical assistance in times of natural and humanitarian crises. Canada has also played an important role in fostering local economic development by partnering on initiatives that support market development, SMEs, small-scale farmers, cooperatives and women-owned businesses. Canada has helped establish and foster African institutions of higher learning and contributed to research in key areas such as agriculture, geology, and sustainable practices, and supported improved resilience to bio-threats. Canada continues to welcome a talented and engaged African diaspora that contributes to Canadian well-being and prosperity.

Canada has assisted in developing constitutional frameworks, building electoral capacity and establishing democratic legislative practices in many countries as they have won their independence from former colonial powers. Canada has likewise encouraged the expansion of civil and human rights as a foundation for prosperity and well-being while respecting African cultures and local norms. Canada has been a reliable partner and leader in the pursuit of justice and accountability in Africa; for example, former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Louise Arbour served as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda from 1996 to 1999. Stephen Lewis was one of 7 eminent figures, appointed by the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union), who published a report in 2000 on the circumstances of and lessons learned from the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Canada has also been a partner in peace and security, from longstanding participation in peacekeeping operations on the continent to military capacity building, and from support on mediation initiatives and addressing sexual and gender-based violence to the prevention of the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

Canada has benefited immensely from collaboration with African people, governments and institutions. From the South African firefighters who helped fight forest fires in Canada to the diverse African diaspora communities who call Canada home, person-to-person ties have strengthened Canada. Trade, investment and educational exchanges between Canada and African countries have bolstered our economies.

Canada also collaborates with African partners on important issues in multilateral forums, including the first-ever United Nations General Assembly resolutions on child, early and forced marriage—which were developed by Canada and Zambia and passed by consensus and support from all regions in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

Over the past 5 years, Canada has significantly increased its engagement with Africa. The meeting between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Moussa Faki in Ethiopia at the African Union Summit in 2020 led to a series of high-level policy dialogues covering foreign policy, trade and development. In 2023, Canada appointed a Permanent Observer to the African Union.

In 2024, Canada signed a memorandum of understanding with the AUC to formalize the partnership and institutionalize ongoing high-level engagement. In 2023, Canada opened a high commission in Rwanda and in 2024, Canada announced a full embassy in Benin and a full high commission in Zambia. 

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Map of Africa – Africa Strategy

A map of the continent of Africa shows the country-by-country locations of Canadian embassies, high commissions, diplomatic offices and the office of the Permanent Observer to the African Union.

A red maple leaf marks the location of Canadian embassies and high commissions in the following countries, listed here in alphabetical order: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan*, South Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zimbabwe.

A yellow maple leaf marks the location of Canada's diplomatic offices in South Africa and Nigeria.

A blue maple leaf marks the location of the planned upgrade to embassy/high commission in Benin and Zambia.

A green maple leaf marks the location of the office of the Permanent Observer of Canada to the African Union in Ethiopia.

* Operations temporarily suspended in April 2023

Cooperation built on a trusted partnership

African countries, peoples and institutions are leading the change in the continent. Leveraging the strengths and aspirations of Canadians and Africans alike, Canada will support African-led solutions to priority areas across the continent. Canada will strengthen economic cooperation and investment that will focus on inclusive growth potential by building on a strong foundation of development assistance. Stronger diplomatic engagement at all levels will be employed to improve prosperity and support peace and security efforts. Driven by Africa’s stated goals and objectives, Canada’s Africa Strategy advances the shared priorities of equal partners.

In the current context of global economic volatility, Africa can provide an opportunity for Canada to further diversify its investments while directly contributing to improved global supply chain resiliency, promoting local benefit in Africa, and protecting Canada’s economic, health and national security. Africa has an important role in global and continental food security, especially with improved sustainable agri-food practices adapted from Canada. Surrounded by oceans, Africa can engage meaningfully in the blue economy both for food and energy resources with the help of technology and engagement from Canadians. Much potential exists to facilitate greater trade and investment in Africa, including through consolidation and expansion of science, technology and innovation partnerships with Canada. Tourism, trade, planned migration, student and teacher exchanges, and active and deliberate engagement with members of the African diaspora in Canada can all lead to greater prosperity for all.

Canada’s Africa Strategy involves:

• better engagement of diaspora communities and Canadian civil society building on people-to-people ties to strengthen Canada-Africa engagement at all levels, while enhancing Canada’s diplomatic footprint
• greater focus on economic cooperation to promote commercial interests and the fulfillment of the UN SDGs
• a more visible Canadian presence, by better targeting diplomatic efforts toward countries with shared values and objectives and strong Canadian commercial interest
• increasing non-traditional partnerships, including via multilateralism/international advocacy initiatives and with African stakeholders in global forums (G20, UN, WTO and Financing for Development) while continuing to deepen relationships with the African Union
• investing in Africa’s economic potential by focusing on sustainable economic development and youth while continuing to work in traditional areas of Canadian leadership such as global health, nutrition, energy, education, agri-food and inclusion, with a particular emphasis on women and girls
• protecting and reinforcing shared security interests through strong bilateral and institutional partnerships with key African states, while improving regional capacity to address security challenges and strengthen accountability and governance standards

Canada’s Africa Strategy—which is aligned with feminist foreign policy and Feminist International Assistance Policy—is focused on 5 areas that are grounded in strengthened people-to-people ties, including between businesses, civil society, government, parliamentarians, students and others. With a commitment to results, the Government of Canada will monitor progress against the objectives of the Africa strategy and communicate these results publicly.

1) Strengthening Canada’s diplomatic engagement and people-to-people ties

Canadian and African interlocutors must continue to build broad partnerships to address global and regional opportunities and challenges. Canada will strengthen partnerships at all levels in traditional diplomatic bilateral channels and regional and multilateral forums, as well as among the diaspora, civil society and parliamentarians. Canada will:

• strengthen its presence on the continent, including through new special envoys and embassies
• strengthen its relationship with African institutions, including through a strategic partnership with the African Union, the Canada-African Union High-Level Dialogues and expanded collaboration with the Regional Economic Communities and parliaments
• strengthen African-Canadian diaspora engagement, including through a new mechanism that involves youths and businesses, to inform Government of Canada approaches to the continent

Working with African partners, including civil society organizations, Canada will continue to be a consistent voice for the protection of human rights (including the rights of vulnerable groups), inclusive governance and democracy, and gender equality and women’s empowerment.

2) Enhancing economic cooperation

Increased targeted economic and commercial engagement is to the benefit of Canadians and Africans alike. Africa, as the most demographically dynamic region globally, rich in natural resources, and with growing manufacturing potential in high-tech industries, presents Canada with an opportunity to diversify supply chains, access a young and diverse workforce, and improve economic security and resilience, while creating inclusive local benefits in the continent. Increased prosperity in Africa can enhance development, peace and security in the region, with significant positive effects on the global security landscape. Meaningful partnerships with Africa will facilitate more opportunities for Canadian exporters and investors to share in the continent’s vast economic potential, delivering supply chain resilience (including for critical minerals), job creation and inclusive economic growth.

Canada has been a key partner in the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and will continue to support its implementation.

Canada will expand efforts to advance economic diplomacy in support of the Canadian private sector and relevant diaspora organizations. Canada will:

• enhance opportunities for the private sector and stakeholders, including through a high-level trade mission to Africa prioritizing innovation sectors, infrastructure and critical minerals and the creation of an Africa Trade Hub to coordinate economic diplomacy and engagement across the Government of Canada as well as provincial and territorial governments
• promote a more inclusive economic system and a predictable, transparent and open trade and investment climate in Africa, including by providing more support for the implementation of the AfCFTA, continuing the Canada-African Union Commission Trade Policy Dialogue, and negotiating foreign investment promotion and protection agreements; promote mutually beneficial resilient supply chains and the responsible, inclusive and sustainable production of critical minerals in Africa in line with the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy; expand our analytical capability and understanding of economic developments in Africa and their implications for Canada
• promote climate-positive and sustainable economic growth by helping to secure opportunities for cutting-edge Canadian policy, expertise and technology (for example, Canada will continue to support research partnerships such as the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, a next-generation radio astronomy facility, and to engage on natural resource management initiatives such as the Mineral Security Partnership, the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme and the Clean Energy Transitions Programme)

3) Reducing poverty, supporting economic development, empowering youth and assisting in humanitarian crises and climate adaptation

In line with Africa’s economic growth potential and continental priorities and opportunities, a larger proportion of international assistance for Africa will be directed toward sustainable economic development and youth employment. Engaging Africa’s youths in Canada’s development assistance policies and programs will be a renewed priority, and Canada will continue to build from its expertise in health, education and in support of women’s and girls’ rights. As part of this strategy, Canada will seek the input of its African diaspora, including youths, as well as Canadian civil society organizations on its development approaches for the region.

Canada’s development assistance will be informed by the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, particularly in leveraging official development assistance to create new partnerships for development and to mobilize new streams of public and private finance in support of the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Extensive support for poverty reduction in Africa will continue, as will Canada’s assistance with humanitarian crises. Canada will improve complementarities among its trade, development, and peace and security programs to ensure that efforts are mutually reinforcing. Efforts will contribute to poverty reduction and address some of the root causes of conflict, including through engagement with Regional Economic Communities. Canada will:

• create stronger connections between economic growth and development programs, including through a new Africa Trade and Development Program, which will support development initiatives that foster stronger trade and investment environments
• invest in renewable energy and infrastructure, including through programing with FinDev Canada and partnerships with the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
• invest in youth and skills training through funding for basic education, with a focus on vulnerable and hard to reach children to ensure they are “school ready”; support the development and delivery of market relevant technical and vocational training and skills programs with built-in pathways to employment and entrepreneurship
• prioritize the mobilization of finance, including by further deploying Canada’s innovative financing instruments, which supports blended finance initiatives; continue to support the Wheat Research Accelerator Fund; build on the International Development Research Centre’s presence in Africa, including its Scaling Care Innovations in Africa initiative, which supports women’s economic empowerment, and its Artificial Intelligence for Development program, which supports the development of locally led, responsible AI ecosystems
• combat climate change by supporting adaptation and addressing biodiversity loss through Canada’s $5.3 billion climate finance envelope, as well as through bilateral memorandums of understanding and initiatives such as the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge and the Powering Past Coal Alliance
• build on decades of cooperation in global health and nutrition by supporting the advancement of the health and rights of women, children and adolescents; combatting infectious diseases; strengthening primary health care-focused health systems; and improving nutrition (addressing malnutrition, stunting and wasting of children will help improve education outcomes and support children in contributing productively to the economy and their communities)

4) Bolstering partnerships for peace, security and human rights

Canada has long been committed to strengthening global peace and security. Canada’s contributions in capacity building, training and supporting good governance are aligned with the expressed needs of African partners on shared priorities, including preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism; conflict prevention, peacebuilding and stabilization; preventing and addressing sexual and gender-based violence; the protection of civilians in armed conflicts; implementation of nuclear security, safety, and safeguards to enable the peaceful uses of nuclear energy; improving biosecurity and biosafety standards and practices; preventing transnational crime, including human trafficking; and promoting good governance, the protection of human rights and inclusive decision making.

Canada will continue to support the role of the African Union and African sub-regional organizations and countries in peace operations and other security programming. Canadian support to Africa’s vibrant networks of civil society organizations working on the frontlines of social and economic development, humanitarian assistance, and peace and security are integral to Canada’s Africa Strategy. Development and economic growth contributions can be conducive to peace, stability and security and are essential to increased prosperity and sustainable development in the African continent.

A critical component of Canada’s Africa Strategy is advancing partnerships in peace, security and human rights through:

• supporting African-led peace operations and conflict prevention initiatives, including technical assistance to the African Union Commission’s Political Affairs, Peace and Security department, support for African Union peace operations, and support for early warning initiatives to prevent violent extremism and combat terrorism, illicit financial flows and terrorist financing; formalizing support to African centres of excellence, including on counterterrorism, violent extremism prevention, post-conflict reconstruction and development, and cybersecurity; continuing peace mediation activities, including supporting and complementing African-led mediation efforts in Canadian areas of expertise, such as governance and resource and border management
• promoting the role of women and youths in peace and security by amplifying and strengthening local leadership through capacity building, deployment of civilian advisers and supporting the work of the African Union’s Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security to ensure the full and equal participation of African women as peacemakers, mediators and negotiators during crisis and conflict; continuing to pursue policy linkages with African institutions on health security and biological threats
• strengthening democracy and human rights by investing in resilient electoral systems for conflict-prevention; strengthening democratic electoral processes, including in countering disinformation to prevent foreign interference, and promoting gender equality and inclusion of Indigenous and marginalized communities; supporting and advocating for the respect and promotion and protection of human rights, including for the security of human rights defenders, women, and vulnerable and minority groups; protecting economic, social and cultural rights, media freedom and health (including for women and girls)
• revising the Canadian approach to the Sahel by working in partnership with democracies in the region, engaging Canada’s new Special Envoy for the Sahel, and implementing Canada’s new Sahel Regional Development Program—which addresses cross-boundary issues that contribute to regional instability—to promote social cohesion and enhance the resilience of local populations
• countering terrorist threats, including violent extremism, by providing technical and policy assistance, exchanging information and coordinating with African partners bilaterally and multilaterally to counter terrorist threats and transnational crime such as drug and weapons trafficking and illicit financial flows used in and by criminal networks and terrorists alike; investing in counter-terrorism capacity building with partner African governments to increase threat resilience, strengthen border and airport security, and counter violent extremism
• mitigating chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats by leading the Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa, a collaboration among the G7-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and other African partners (this effort aims to strengthen pan-African health security capacities though integrated disease surveillance systems and implementation of a continental biosecurity and biosafety strategic plan—all with a view to preventing, detecting, and responding effectively to outbreaks of high-consequence pathogens of security concern); supporting African states to put in place the legislative and regulatory infrastructure needed to implement international best practices on nuclear security and the management of radiological sources

5) Advancing shared priorities through increased engagement on the global stage

To advance key priorities, Canada and Africa need diverse partners on the world stage and multilateral systems that work for everyone; Canada will continue to support increased African participation and influence in multilateral spaces. By working closely with African partners—bilaterally and multilaterally—to address global challenges and opportunities, Canada will be able to better advance shared interests including advancing climate action, countering terrorism and transnational crime, trade and digitization. Canada will continue to:

• work with African partners to advance shared interests across the UN system
• mobilize support, including financial support, for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
• advocate for reform of the UN Security Council to redress Africa’s historic exclusion from the council and secure due and substantial representation for African countries
• support the African Union in its new role as a permanent member of the G20, making this important multilateral institution more inclusive and giving the continent an important voice on key global issues
• collaborate with South Africa on our respective G7 and G20 presidencies in 2025, with the aim to build on synergies
• undertake deeper cooperation at the World Trade Organization to advance areas of shared interest
• work with other shareholders at the development banks to press for critical reforms that would enable the institutions to respond to today’s global development challenges
• strengthen partnerships with African members of the Commonwealth and La Francophonie in priority areas to promote their leadership in strategic initiatives
• engage with African partners to contribute to efforts around climate finance, climate change and climate security
• work with African countries and institutions on combatting climate change, supporting adaptation, and addressing biodiversity loss through Canada’s $5.3 billion climate finance envelope and bilateral agreements and initiatives such as the Powering Past Coal Alliance

A functioning and stable multilateral system is integral to the maintenance of the rules based international order, and core to Canadian interests.

By deepening Canadian collaboration with African countries, people and institutions, Canada is creating pathways for mutual economic growth, empowering businesses in Africa and Canada, and fostering a future of shared success, opportunity and prosperity. With its active engagement in Africa, Canada is helping to advance inclusive and sustainable development across the continent, promoting gender equality and human rights, and advancing mutual goals for a brighter future. Working together, security issues can be prevented and managed, and peace and stability can be sought. Notwithstanding global geopolitical tensions and volatility, Canada remains a reliable partner for shared prosperity and security with Africa.

Canada’s Diplomatic Presence in Africa

22 Embassies and High Commissions:

• Embassy of Canada to Algeria
• Embassy of Canada to Burkina Faso
• High Commission of Canada in Cameroon
• Embassy of Canada to Côte d'Ivoire
• Embassy of Canada to the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Embassy of Canada to Egypt
• Embassy of Canada to Ethiopia
• High Commission of Canada in Ghana
• High Commission of Canada in Kenya
• Embassy of Canada to Libya
• Embassy of Canada to Mali
• Embassy of Canada to Morocco and Mauritania
• High Commission of Canada in Mozambique
• High Commission of Canada in Nigeria
• High Commission of Canada in the Republic of Rwanda
• Embassy of Canada to Senegal
• High Commission of Canada in South Africa
• Embassy of Canada to South Sudan
• Embassy of Canada to Sudan (operations temporarily suspended)
• High Commission of Canada in Tanzania
• Embassy of Canada to Tunisia
• Embassy of Canada to Zimbabwe

5 diplomatic offices:

• Office of Canada’s Permanent Observer to the African Union
• Office of the Embassy of Canada, in Cotonou, Benin
• Deputy High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, in Lagos
• High Commission of Canada Trade Office, Johannesburg
• Office of the High Commission of Canada in Zambia, in Lusaka

Related link

• Canada’s Africa Initiatives