Revitalizing Canada-Africa Relations: A Call for Strategic Action

On October 2nd, during the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee’s session addressing Canada's Interests in Africa, Professor Edward Akuffo delivered a stark warning: “Canada is two decades behind in deepening and broadening relationships with Africa.” This candid assessment highlighted the nation’s underwhelming diplomatic and economic presence on the continent, stressing the urgent need for a coherent and strategic approach to revitalizing Canada-Africa relations. As part of broader initiatives by the Canadian government, the committee gathered input from key civil society actors to assess Canadian interest and engagement with Africa, as the government works to develop a comprehensive plan for future relations with the continent—a process long overdue and vital to Canada’s future relevance on the continent.

The first half of the session, which featured Professor Akuffo, Professor David Black, and Meredith Preston McGhie, secretary general of the Global Centre for Pluralism, identified several critical themes for Canada’s engagement with Africa. They underscored the importance of increasing Canada’s diplomatic presence, diversifying economic partnerships, fostering knowledge and technology exchange, and embracing a more pluralistic approach to diplomacy. These themes formed the foundation of the discussions, which outlined a clear path for Canada to enhance its role on the continent by building deeper, more diverse, and sustainable partnerships.

On the issue of diplomatic engagement with the continent, Professor Akuffo highlighted the limited nature of Canada’s current diplomatic presence and emphasized the importance of rectifying this situation by broadening diplomatic relations, particularly through establishing more embassies and diplomatic missions. Currently, Canada maintains fewer than 30 embassies while there are 55 African countries, an alarmingly small footprint for a nation that claims to value its global partnerships. To address this lack in diplomatic efforts Akuffo not only urges the Canadian government to increase its diplomatic presence on the continent through an increase in embassies and consulates but also proposed a plan based on regions, where Canada would establish permanent diplomatic missions within each of the eight regional economic communities on the continent. He believes that this would increase Canada’s effectiveness and boost its visibility.

Strengthening these diplomatic ties, according to the witnesses, must go hand-in-hand with fostering connections with the African diaspora in Canada, which can offer valuable insights into the continent’s needs and aspirations. By engaging more deeply with this community, the Canadian government could better tailor its approach to Africa and ensure its initiatives reflect both African and diaspora interests. The creation of a Canadian Council for the African Diaspora was proposed as a way to formalize this engagement and strengthen ties between Canada and Africa through this vital bridge.

In tandem with diplomatic and diaspora engagement, Akuffo also stressed the importance of expanding educational partnerships across the continent. He proposed the creation of sub-regional centers of excellence in collaboration with African universities, which would facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building while producing policy-relevant research. These centers, combined with stronger diplomatic missions and diaspora collaboration, would help Canada cultivate deeper relationships with African nations, positioning itself as a key partner in the continent’s academic, economic, and political growth.

In engaging with the question of Canada’s diplomatic footprint in Africa, Professor Black stressed the importance of fostering a development policy ecosystem as part of Canada’s diplomatic strategy. This approach allows for a more dynamic form of diplomacy, often referred to as Track II diplomacy, which builds trans-societal links that can endure even in the face of political instability. By encouraging connections across various sectors of society—business, education, civil society—Canada can deepen its ties to African nations beyond traditional state-to-state relations. These links provide resilience and continuity, helping to maintain diplomatic engagement even when formal political relations face challenges. Black argued that this broader network of relationships would enhance Canada's diplomatic footprint, creating a more durable and diversified presence on the continent.

While the need to broaden diplomatic ties is important it is also important to acknowledge the potential challenges Canada faces when doing so. As acknowledged by Meredith Preston McGhie one key issue that may emerge is Canada’s tendency to rely on a generalist diplomatic corps that often lacks the specialized regional expertise necessary to navigate Africa’s complexities. To be more effective, McGhie argued, Canada should invest in diplomats who specialize in African affairs and can move between different missions across the continent, enhancing both depth and adaptability. Akuffo echoed these concerns, noting that without proper resources and strategic focus, even well-intentioned initiatives—such as Canada’s mission to the AU—risk being outpaced by countries with more established and specialized teams. Without these investments, Canada could fall behind in building long-term, impactful relationships with African nations.

The economic dimension of Canada’s engagement also received attention in these discussions. Panelists emphasized the need for Canada to develop mutually beneficial trade agreements that are region-specific, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. Professor Akuffo stressed the importance of diversifying Canada’s investments beyond the traditional focus on the mining sector. He advocated for the development of innovative flagship programs that would attract investor interest to new areas, opening the door for potential collaborations that promote sustainable growth. By moving beyond extractive industries, Canada could foster long-term partnerships with African nations, ensuring a more balanced and forward-looking economic engagement.

The importance of pluralism emerged as another central theme of the discussion, particularly through the insights of Meredith Preston McGhie. Although Canada’s focus on promoting democracy and human rights has been commendable, McGhie argued that adopting a pluralist approach—centered on respect for diversity, social cohesion, and belonging—would allow for deeper, more meaningful engagement with African societies. She pointed out that current diplomatic efforts often miss the opportunity to address sensitive societal issues, such as gender identity and inclusion, in ways that resonate locally. By shifting its focus from a strictly rights-based approach to one that fosters a sense of belonging, Canada could create space for more nuanced and constructive dialogue. This pluralist framework would help Canada build stronger, more resilient partnerships with African nations, offering a path for engagement that reflects the continent’s unique societal dynamics.

The second half of the session, featuring Garreth Bloor and Paula Caldwell St-Onge from The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, along with Jean-Louis Roy, President of Partenariat International, expanded on the economic dimension of Canada-Africa relations. The panelists stressed the need for rapid diversification in Canada’s trade with African nations, identifying agriculture and natural resources as sectors where Canada can accelerate this shift. They highlighted the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a key example, with the DRC actively seeking private sector engagement from Canada in both mining and agriculture. This interest underscores Canada's strong reputation in these industries, particularly as an alternative to countries like China, whose investments in Africa have been criticized for not respecting local communities or building local capacity. By focusing on sustainable, locally beneficial partnerships in agriculture and natural resources, Canada could not only diversify its trade but also strengthen its economic ties with African nations.

In conclusion, any further delay risks making Canada a peripheral external power in African engagement, as Professor Akuffo warned during the discussions. With the geopolitical landscape shifting rapidly and other nations, such as China and Russia, actively expanding their influence across Africa, Canada stands at a critical juncture. Failure to act could leave Canada sidelined, unable to form meaningful partnerships and missing out on key opportunities for collaboration in sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, and natural resources. The discussions in this session underscored the urgency of action—Canada must accelerate its efforts to define a clear African strategy that deepens diplomatic, economic, and societal ties with African nations or face long-term consequences.?

Although Canada has historically maintained a modest diplomatic presence on the continent, the consensus among the panelists was clear: this is no longer enough. The current global environment demands a more proactive and engaged approach. Canada needs to move beyond rhetoric and take tangible steps to expand its diplomatic footprint, diversify trade relations, and foster sustainable partnerships that respect local communities and build long-term capacity. This is not merely about keeping pace with global competitors—it is about ensuring that Canada remains a trusted partner to African nations, offering an alternative to exploitative relationships while building lasting and equitable connections.?

Jameer Johnson , Research Assistant, Canadian Centre for African Affairs and Policy Research