Consulting the diaspora key to unlocking strong partnerships in Africa

The Liberal government’s decision to launch a final round of public and broad consultations on Canada’s “approach to partnerships in Africa” comes better late than never. Canada urgently needs a vision to strengthen ties with the 54 sovereign African countries. Achieving high-quality engagement of African partners, and gaining more respect and the trust of African polities requires a comprehensive approach. In this regard, Canada should afford its African diaspora the opportunity to influence foreign policy. Mafoya Dossoumon is a member of the Africa Study Group Secretariat. Photograph courtesy of Mafoya Dossoumon There is no singular, silver-bullet initiative that can significantly enhance Canada-Africa relations, but Canada must elevate its engagement with the continent nonetheless. In this respect, this country's African diaspora can help send a strong signal that Canada seeks steady, reliable, and mutually beneficial partnerships. A more inclusive approach and the diaspora’s active participation will enhance the appropriateness of Canada’s policies, and considerably increase the overall impact of its partnerships. The challenge is that there is no formal framework through which the African diaspora can shape Canada-Africa relations. In addition to the recruitment and long-term career development of a cadre of Africa regional experts, Canada should urgently afford its diplomatic corps the opportunity to solidify collaboration with the community. The African diaspora—highly educated and entrepreneurial with specialized knowledge, diverse networks, and close ties to the continent—can play a significant role. To highlight its importance in promoting trade and influencing foreign policy, the Africa Study Group is convening a conference on Oct. 5 in Ottawa. Hosting this discussion in the national capital carries particular significance at a time when Global Affairs Canada is revamping its diplomacy. The government no doubt aims to take a more focused approach to diplomacy, but to play a consequential role on the world stage, Canada must bring Africa from the periphery to the core of its foreign policy. To be sure, Africa matters for Canada, but it has been more than two years since the Liberal government revealed plans for a “foreign policy strategy” to engage with the continent. Despite this, Canada’s current ambition is most apparent in its overtures to the African Union (AU). In June 2022, Canada announced a dedicated mission and permanent observer to the AU, leading to the AU Commission chairman’s official visit to Ottawa in October 2022, and the May 2023 signing of a “co-operation framework” for ongoing trade policy dialogue. Moreover, during Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly’s recent trips to Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa, she affirmed Canada’s commitment to a revitalized role in Africa. It is, of course, smart policy to cultivate strong bilateral and multilateral relations, and to secure long-term trade, investment, and security arrangements with African countries. By 2050, experts estimate that a successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement could generate US$16.12-trillion in combined consumer and business spending, creating unique business partnership opportunities for Canadian companies. In the coming decades, the Canadian-African diaspora’s perspective will be crucial in navigating continental opportunities like the fast-growing consumer market and major challenges like climate change impacts. The community has more than tripled in the past two decades from 300,000 in 2001 to more than 1.3 million people in 2024. In favouring a formal engagement with this community, Canada would significantly expand people-to-people ties. Canada is not burdened with a colonial legacy in its relations with African countries. This, combined with the systematic integration of the perspectives and contributions of the Canadian-African diaspora stands Canada in good stead to promote mutually beneficial partnerships. The coming year will find Canada at a pivotal crossroads as it will have a federal election. While Canada chairs the G7 in 2025, South Africa will chair the influential G20, which recently welcomed the AU among its ranks. To shift its Africa foreign policy approach from a position of expediency to one of clarity and purpose, the Canadian government must not allow its current momentum to fizzle out. Mafoya Dossoumon is a member of the Africa Study Group Secretariat, an affiliate of the Canadian International Council. The Hill Times

Consulting the diaspora key to unlocking strong partnerships in Africa

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Consulting the diaspora key to unlocking strong partnerships in Africa

There is no formal framework through which the diaspora can shape Canada-Africa relations, making it challenging to influence policy.

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