AfriCanada Economic Development and Culture (AEDC)
AfriCanada Economic Summit 2027
The annual flagship summit for Canada–Africa trade, investment and strategic partnerships · April 1-2, 2027 · Toronto
Theme: Bridging Markets, Mobilizing Capital: Building an Inclusive Investment Future
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AfriCanada Economic Development and Culture (AEDC)
Mandate, Mission and the Annual AfriCanada Economic Summit
AfriCanada Economic Development and Culture (AEDC) is an economic development and business engagement organization dedicated to strengthening Canada–Africa economic relations, facilitating international trade and investment, mobilizing capital, and advancing strategic partnerships between Canadian, African and international stakeholders.
Through its flagship annual AfriCanada Economic Summit, alongside strategic engagements, business forums, investment promotion activities, conferences and partnership initiatives, AEDC brings together governments, investors, financial institutions, businesses, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, development organizations and public-sector representatives to explore opportunities, address investment challenges and advance mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
The Annual Summit
Hosted at the Ontario Investment and Trade Centre
Hosted annually at the Ontario Investment and Trade Centre (OITC), 250 Yonge Street, 35th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, the AfriCanada Economic Summit provides a high-level platform for dialogue, networking, business development and investment facilitation. Its focus encompasses international trade, investment promotion, trade finance, capital mobilization, infrastructure development, energy, technology, industrial development and strategic partnerships.
Beyond its flagship Summit, AEDC advances a broader economic development mandate that connects international economic opportunities with practical community and business development initiatives in Canada. Through its community development and not-for-profit programming, AEDC supports entrepreneurship, youth employment and professional development, financial literacy, skills development, climate action, green economy participation, affordable housing awareness, arts and culture, and inclusive community empowerment.
By bridging international markets with local economic development priorities, AEDC seeks to create sustainable pathways for businesses, investors, entrepreneurs, youth and communities to participate in economic growth and development.
Our Overarching Objective
Our overarching objective is to position Canada as a strategic partner in Africa’s economic transformation while strengthening Canada’s domestic economic competitiveness, investment opportunities, business growth and inclusive prosperity.
Our Mission
To facilitate trade, mobilize investment capital, build strategic partnerships and advance sustainable economic development between Canada, Africa and international markets, while promoting inclusive economic participation, entrepreneurship and community prosperity.
What Guides Us
Our Strategic Mandate Pillars
01
Trade and Market Development
Facilitating bilateral and international trade, market access and business expansion.
02
Investment and Capital Mobilization
Connecting investors, financial institutions, businesses and investment-ready projects.
03
Strategic Partnerships
Building cooperation among governments, private-sector institutions, development agencies and international stakeholders.
04
Industry and Innovation
Advancing opportunities in energy, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, manufacturing and emerging industries.
05
Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment
Supporting business development, youth employment, financial literacy and professional development.
06
Sustainable and Inclusive Development
Promoting climate action, green economy initiatives, affordable housing awareness, cultural engagement and community well-being.
About Us
Who We Are
A Canadian corporation established to promote, support and facilitate Trade, Business and Investment cooperation primarily between Canadian firms and counterparts across Africa.
Our Goal
Our Purpose
The Economic Summit ultimate goal is to explore innovative and cordial ways to further deepen socioeconomic and cultural cooperation between Canada and nations in Africa.
What We Do
AfriCanada Economic Summit Group
- Research & Development
- Cooperation and Partnerships
- Market Development
- Trade Missions
- Projects Development
- Joint Venture
- Procurement
- New and Emerging Market Opportunities
- Institutional Relations
Exponentially increasing Canada-Africa trade, business and investment activities
Meet the Experts
Featured Speakers
Byron A. Martin
ProducerByron A. Martin Production, Inc.
Lauri Elliott
CEO, GlobalstratosNorth Carolina, USA
Andy Subasinghe
Director, Global FinanceTD Securities
Nissi Ekpot
CEO, Bizconnect AfricaCape Town, South Africa
Sandra Ludwig Hinojosa Verdin, M.Sc.
Industrial Technology AdvisorIndustrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
Latanya Monteith Housen
Regional Manager, Black Community Business DevelopmentMetro West | Women in Enterprise Banker (WE Banker) TD Group
Ishmael Mansaray
Founder & CEOSancorps SL LTDFreetown, Sierra Leone
Elizabeth Collinson
Acting Intellectual Property AdvisorCanadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Mustafa Jaffa
Industrial Technology AdvisorNational Research Council - Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC – IRAP)Canada.
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Jeremy Tessier
SpecialistKnowledge Transfer - Client Relations at CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)
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Othman Kamara
LecturerMaster of Philosophy (M.phil) in Political ScienceMaster in Business Administration (MBA)University of Sierra Leone (USL)
Imole Kate Igbinosun
Manager, LAPO Micro Finance, Edo State, Nigeria
Cheska Catilo
Trade CommissionerOntario Regional Office of the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS).
Dr. Farid Bensebaa
Global DirectorCanada–Africa Artificial Intelligence Consortium (CAAIC)
David Katz
Board ChairOntario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA)Ontario, Canada
Mariline Gheda
President of Triton Event | Founder of Halton Fashion Show | Co-Founder of Toronto Fashion Show
Norman Musengimana
Business Development Manager, Start-ups and Entrepreneurship | Strategic Architect of Innovation Ecosystems | Founder & CEOKingston Economic Development Corporation | Prosfata Inc. | BizSkills Academy Inc
Samir Yassin
Senior Program and Policy AdvisorImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Gary W. Jarosz
Board Chair & Interim General ManagerSynergy Lab Inc. (Canada)
Meseret Haileyesus (Mesi)
Global ExecutiveWorld Executive Council for Economic and Financial Inclusion (CCFWE)
Isabella Bertani, BBA, FCPA, FCA, MBA
Founder and Chief Client StrategistBERTANI
Stephen Green
Managing Partner, Green and Spiegel Immigration Law FirmCertified Specialist in Immigration Law (Law Society of Ontario)Past Chair, Canadian Bar Association – National Section, Citizenship and Immigration
Ouarme Habibata
PresidentKoromousso Media Inc.
Distinguished Guests
VIP
The Hon. Judy A. Sgro, MP
MP for Humber River-Black Creek, Chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade
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José Etcheverry, Ph.D.
Director, International Renewable Energy AcademyCo-Chair, Sustainable Energy InitiativeBoard of Governors, York UniversitySenator, York University
Larry Rousseau
Executive Vice President, Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
Dennis Vandi
CEO, Dawaila Group, Sierra Leone
Engr. Nadungu Gagare
Permanent SecretaryPolitical and Economic Affairs (OSGF)Federal Republic of NigeriaAbuja, Nigeria
Prof. Fred Schwartz
Faculty of Environmental and Urban ChangeYork University, Toronto, ON Accelerator LTG, Campbell’s Ba, (Qc)
Mr. Yusha E. Duarte
Deputy Country Director – CanadaGlobal Chamber on African Trade, Rights and Economic Development (GCATRED),CEO & Founder – Next Generation Roads Africa (NGRA)
Leon Wasser, MBA, P.Eng.
Vice-Chair,Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA)
MP Kelly DeRidder
Member of Parliament, Kitchener CentreChair of AI for the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
Watch
Summit Highlights
Welcome Message
A Message from the Mayor
Olivia Chow
Mayor of Toronto
Upcoming Event
The AfriCanada Economic Summit 2027
April 1-2, 2027
| Event Name | Event Start Date | Event End Date | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economic summit 2027 (international participants) | April 1-2, 2027 | April 1-2, 2027 | Individual |
DateApril 1-2, 2027
AddressOntario Investment and Trade Centre (OITC), 250 Yonge Street, 35th Floor, Toronto, ON M5B 2L7, Canada
Hosted by the AfriCanada Economic Summit Group
Our Partners & Sponsors
Proudly Supported By
