Canadian Senate Committee Urges Deeper Engagement with Africa, Citing Strategic Opportunities

Senate Committee Releases Landmark Report on Canada-Africa Relations

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade has released a comprehensive report titled 'Canada-Africa: Seizing a Strategic Opportunity,' urging the Canadian government to significantly deepen its engagement with the African continent. The report, made public on Thursday, December 11, 2025, emphasizes that Canada must act decisively to strengthen partnerships with African countries and stakeholders or risk being left behind in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

A Call for Strategic Prioritization

The committee's study concluded that Africa is a dynamic continent characterized by rapid youth growth, economic expansion, and increasing geostrategic influence. Despite Africa's expanding global role, the report highlights that Canada has not adequately adjusted its engagement, leading to missed opportunities and a gradual erosion of its relevance. The report makes 21 recommendations aimed at fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.

Key recommendations include:

• Designating Africa as a strategic priority within Canada's trade diversification agenda.
• Advancing discussions on free trade and investment with African countries.
• Enhancing political dialogue with the African Union Commission.
• Assisting with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
• Harnessing support for African-led peace operations and other African priorities, such as Agenda 2063.
• Investing in bodies like Export Development Canada and the Trade Commissioner Service to 'derisk' and deepen Canadian commercial engagement.

The report also suggests leveraging the approximately 1.3 million people of African origin in Canada to build new people-to-people links, including educational exchanges.

Africa's Growing Economic and Geopolitical Significance

The committee underscored Africa's immense potential, noting that the African Development Bank estimates the continent will account for 13 of the world's top 20 fastest-growing economies in 2025. Africa's population of 1.4 billion is projected to rise to 2.5 billion by 2050, making it a crucial demographic force. Economically, the AfCFTA, spanning 54 countries and 1.3 billion people, is projected to boost intra-African trade by 52 percent by 2035, presenting significant opportunities for Canadian sectors like agri-food and clean technology.

Despite this, Africa accounted for only 1 percent of Canada's total merchandise trade in 2024, valued at $15.1 billion, with Canada's direct investment standing at $12 billion. The report points out that other global actors are already increasing their presence, with China's trade with Africa surpassing $200 billion in 2023. The continent also holds 60 percent of the world's ideal locations for solar energy and significant reserves of critical minerals, positioning it as a key player in the carbon-neutral world.

Urgency for a Coherent Strategy

Chaired by Senator Peter M. Boehm, the committee's findings follow a period where Canada's Budget 2025 notably failed to mention Africa or a new Africa Strategy, despite years of calls for such a plan. The report urges the federal government to produce a concrete action plan with measurable objectives, timelines, and dedicated resources to ensure effective and coherent implementation of Canada's engagement in Africa.