Flip The Switch

From a Footnote to the Forefront: Our Call at the G7

In June 2025, EWB Canada brought the voices of young Canadians and African partners to the G7’s doorstep.

As the G7 Summit opened in Italy, our campaign launch event in Calgary delivered a clear message: Africa can’t be a footnote. With Canada preparing to host the G7 in 2025, we urged leaders to prioritize energy access and sustainable infrastructure across the African continent. Why? Because nearly 600 million people still lack electricity—yet Africa holds immense potential to power not just itself, but the world.

Our community mobilized. Even before our campaign, through public dialogue and grassroots engagement, we set the stage for a new campaign focused on seizing this moment of global opportunity.

Why Africa? 

Africa’s energy transformation is the infrastructure opportunity of the century—and Canada has a chance to lead.

With 11 of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies, Africa is emerging as a global powerhouse. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is set to create the largest single market on Earth, unlocking $3.4 trillion in economic potential. At the same time, the continent is rich in solar energy, critical minerals, and ecosystems essential for climate stability.

And yet, the need is urgent. Nearly 600 million people still live without reliable electricity. 

We believe Canada can be part of the solution, while advancing its own goals in clean tech, trade, and global cooperation.

Why Flip The Switch? 

Now, EWB’s Flip the Switch! calls on the Canadian government to launch a bold new partnership with Africa to close the continent’s energy infrastructure gap. Specifically, we’re asking the Canadian Government to establish Spark Africa: A Canada-Africa Electricity Partnership, as its flagship contribution to the G7’s Mission 300 goal of achieving universal electricity access in Africa by 2030. 

This partnership will allow Canada to deliver on the Canada-Africa Strategy released earlier this year by: 

• Investing in clean energy through institutions like FinDev Canada and partnerships with the African Development Bank.
• Supporting the rollout of AfCFTA, promoting trade and integration across the continent.
• Scaling blended finance tools that de-risk investments and attract private capital.
• Strengthening governance systems, fiscal transparency, and institutional capacity.
• Connecting Canadian expertise in renewable energy, engineering, and innovation with African partners to accelerate sustainable solutions.

Through Spark Africa, we believe Canada can:

• Catalyze investment in community-based, off-grid energy solutions;
• Align public financing tools to support early-stage energy projects;
• Deploy Canadian clean-tech expertise in partnership with African institutions;
• Champion fairer financing, so Africa can borrow and build on equitable terms.

This is not just about aid—it’s about opportunity. About unlocking markets, building trust, and creating shared prosperity between Canada and Africa.

Now is the time for bold action.

Let’s Flip the Switch—together.