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Accelerating trade, business and investment between Canada and Africa through world-class networking and information sharing opportunities. Don't miss Africa Accelerating 2025 – secure your spot now to learn how Canada and Africa both benefit from trade and gain unparalleled access to cross-continental business opportunities and strategic partnerships.
VP Business Solutions at 6ix
Paula Caldwell St-Onge, B.Sc., MBA, ICD.D is an accomplished Ambassador with over 30 years of experience working in the Canadian Government. She has significant experience in government administration, international relations, political risk, sustainable de...
Partner at Goodmans
Randy currently sits on the board of directors of The Musical Stage Company, the largest and leading charitable musical theatre company in Canada. Randy also sits on the board of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and Western Mustangs Athletic Alumni. He...
Co-Founder and Deputy Chairman at 369 Global
Kumaran has nearly 15 years of experience in public sector policy and program development, intergovernmental affairs, and business development having held progressively senior roles at the Ontario Ministries of the Attorney General, the Solicitor General, a...
Managing Partner at Launch Africa Ventures
Zach is the Managing Partner at Launch Africa Ventures – Africa’s most prominent and active early-stage VC Fund with a portfolio of 130+ tech ventures across 20+ countries. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Startupbootcamp AfriTech –...
CEO at IPT Africa
Mark, Founder and CEO of IPT Africa, brings over 25 years of global payments experience, including 15 years in the African payments industry. Based in Mauritius, he leads IPT Africa in delivering innovative cross-border payment solutions with real-time pric...
Dean and James McGill Professor, Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University
Dr. Yolande E. Chan joined McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management as Dean and James McGill Professor in August 2021. Prior to joining Desautels, Dean Chan served as Associate Dean of Research, PhD and MSc Programs, and the E. Marie Shantz Chair...
Dean of Continuing Studies at McGill University
Dr. Carola Weil was appointed Dean of McGill University’s School of Continuing Studies in Montreal, Canada, and Associate Professor (CAS) on July 1, 2018. She previously served as founding Dean of the School of Professional & Extended Studies at American Un...
Meeting Overview The meeting served as the opening ceremony for the Africa Accelerating 2025 conference, welcoming dignitaries and participants both in-person and virtually. Key themes included the strengthening of economic relations between Canada and Africa, the importance of trade missions, and the role of cultural diplomacy in fostering connections. Key Discussion Points - Acknowledgment of the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples in Toronto. - Introduction of key speakers and dignitaries, including government officials from South Africa and Canada. - Recognition of the contributions of sponsors and partners supporting the conference. - Emphasis on the significance of economic diplomacy and trade missions between Canada and Africa. - Discussion on the challenges posed by visa regulations affecting trade and collaboration. - Call for increased collaboration in the film industry and cultural exchanges. - Highlighting South Africa's G20 presidency and its focus on sustaina...
[Speaker identities could not be resolved; generic labels used] [00:03] Speaker 1: Well, good morning, dignitaries. [00:05] Speaker 1: Welcome to Africa Accelerating [00:07] Speaker 1: 2025 [00:08] Speaker 1: and a special welcome today to those joining us virtually. It's 9am in Toronto, [00:13] Speaker 1: 3pm in Johannesburg [00:15] Speaker 1: and of course across the continent from Nairobi [00:18] Speaker 1: over to Lagos and elsewhere to those of you registered to be with us. Thank you so much and we look forward to seeing you in person next year and many of you of course in Zambia later this month for our next event on the ground. [00:29] Speaker 1: Before we begin I'd like to acknowledge that we're gathered here for those in Toronto on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas [00:37] Speaker 1: of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Chippewa, [00:40] Speaker 1: the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, and that today this land is home to many diverse 1st Nations, Inuit and Métis people, and we enjoy the ongoing presence and the stewardship [00:50] Speaker 1: of this land and of this place. And I wanted to thank in particular the leadership of the chamber who's with us, recognizing our board chair, Paula Koldor-Sanonj [00:59] Speaker 1: who oversees the board and of course the board in turn the operations of this organization. [01:04] Speaker 1: Randy McCauley joining us virtually a partner here at Goodmans LLP, host for the past 31 years at this illustrious venue. Wayne Floriani of Mine Africa, [01:13] Speaker 1: our longest serving board member. Welcome Wayne. Peter Braid, former Member of Parliament [01:18] Speaker 1: and Head of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada, thank you for your ongoing service. And KC Gandhi, I'm with ...