Image credit, Musalia W Mudavadi, Social Media
Canadian and African business leaders met in Nairobi, Kenya, this week to explore investment opportunities and strengthen trade ties between the two continents. The 2nd Canada-Africa Business Conference, held on February 19-20, served as a platform for discussions and collaborations aiming to benefit both economies.
Maninder Sidhu, Parliamentary Secretary to Canada’s trade minister, emphasized the importance of such gatherings in fostering connections and sharing investment opportunities. He pointed to areas like infrastructure, education, agriculture, technology, and clean energy as holding significant potential for collaboration.
The conference highlighted the growing trade relationship between Canada and Kenya, with exports from Canada valued at $110.7 million and imports at $46.4 million in 2023. Key Canadian exports included agricultural products, while consumer goods topped Kenyan imports to Canada.
Beyond Kenya, Sidhu spoke to the broader potential of Canada-Africa partnerships, mentioning shared priorities like peace, security, gender equality, climate action, and the blue economy. The Ottawa Group, an organization chaired by Canada that addresses WTO-related challenges, notably includes Kenya as its only African member.
This conference underscores the increasing focus on strengthening economic ties between Canada and Africa. By fostering dialogue and identifying opportunities, such initiatives aim to drive prosperity and innovation across both continents.
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