In the recent past, Canada has contributed to the progress of the African continent. The benefits of these contributions have benefited African countries and our country, particularly economically. Some of our great companies were born out of these public and private investments. As we mark World Africa Day today, one thing is clear: the time has come to rebuild Canada’s bond with Africa.
Created in 1963, this day aims to celebrate African unity and all that makes it concrete, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECAf). It also celebrates the economic and social, technological and cultural advances made by Africans, their civil societies and their governments. It also aims to highlight the presence of Africans in the world, these diasporas whose contribution is highly appreciated, contribution to Canadian society and to their society of origin.
Common interest
With its partners on the continent, our country must identify areas where Canadian and African interests converge and invest in rebuilding its link to the continent. This policy will help strengthen our economy. It will enrich the international opportunities of our companies, including those with a mandate to invest in the world, such as the Caisse de depot et placement du Québec and the Ontario teachers’ pension plan. Finally, it will participate in the development of our research and knowledge institutions and will enrich the work of our non-governmental organizations on the continent.
Africa today is a continent under construction, a vast community of nations in the throes of change. Certainly, the continent has its share of difficulties like Europe, Asia and the Americas. However, it is full of occasions where our know-how will find real outlets. I am thinking in particular of agriculture, energy, transport, the digital, social and circular economy, renewable energies, urban planning, etc.
On the commercial side, the implementation of the ZLECAf will produce a commercial market whose GDP is estimated at 3000 billion US dollars. Relieved of customs duties for 90% of its trade, this unified market will be one of the largest in the world with the Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership in Asia. This tremendous potential will be able to count on a growing market, the continent’s population expected to double by 2050, from 1.2 billion to 2.4 billion inhabitants. Soon, one in four human beings will be African and the African population will be the youngest on the planet.
Support the AfCFTA
To add content to the reconstruction of its link with the African continent, Canada must bring its expertise and know-how to the teams working to implement the AfCFTA. It would not be the first country to have supported this great project. But in doing so, it would put an end to this kind of indifference which contrasts with many of the countries of the world which have come considerably closer to the continent, which have declared themselves partners in taking up the challenge of Africa’s indispensable success. Eventually, Ottawa could propose a draft free trade agreement with the ZLECAf countries.
Finally, the strategic weight of Africa is an additional reason to reconnect with the continent. Indeed, with its 55 countries and, tomorrow, a permanent seat on the Security Council, the continent counts in international forums. Canada’s failure to obtain a seat on the Security Council as well as Russia’s ability to partly escape international sanctions as a result of the policy of neutrality of several African countries demonstrate the strength that Africa can have in the concert nations.
In the medium and long term, nothing in Africa’s affairs will escape the attention of the world, and nothing in the affairs of the world can be accomplished without the help of Africans. Canada is on the list of countries that seem to ignore this evidence. We need to get out of this sterile positioning.
I hope that in the future, on yet another World Africa Day, I will be able to send out a more positive message and talk about the dividends flowing from rebuilding Canada’s ties with Africa.