Canada’s Africa Strategy Is Here—But Is It Enough?

Canada’s Africa Strategy marks an important milestone in Canada-Africa relations. After years of advocacy, consultations, and research, the Government of Canada has released a policy document that acknowledges Africa’s strategic importance and signals an intention to deepen engagement.

Engineers Without Borders Canada welcomes this long-awaited milestone. The strategy outlines key focus areas, including diplomatic ties, economic cooperation, development, climate action, and global partnerships. It reflects many of the priorities expressed by African partners and the African diaspora in Canada.

However, the strategy falls short in several critical areas. Specifically, it lacks dedicated funding, clear strategic objectives, measurable outcomes, and timelines—fundamental elements of any effective regional engagement strategy. It also fails to articulate Canada’s economic and geopolitical interests in Africa or specify countries and sectors for deeper prioritization.

Despite these gaps, this strategy is a step toward a future of shared prosperity between Canada and Africa. It is clear there is much work to do to realize this vision. EWB Canada remains committed to working alongside the Canadian government to define its approach, build meaningful partnerships, and drive engagement in Africa. With our expertise in engineering, infrastructure, and technology—alongside our history of fostering youth innovation and entrepreneurship—we are motivated to support Canada in developing these strategic pillars of its Africa strategy.

We look forward to collaborating with the Government of Canada to strengthen its engagement, clarify its objectives, and ensure its presence in Africa translates into tangible outcomes. As a federal election approaches, we look forward to engaging candidates on their plans to refine Canada’s strategic approach to Africa and strengthen Canada-Africa relations.

Share this message with a friend, colleague, or family member who is interested in Canada-Africa relations. Let’s expand the conversation on Canada’s Africa Strategy and advocate for a stronger, more effective approach.