The Canadian Council on Africa (CCAfrica) was created on May 27, 2002 and is currently located in Ottawa, Ontario, with the goal of becoming Canada's leading organization committed to the economic development of a modern competitive Africa. CCAfrica was founded as a result of the Kananaskis G8 Summit, where the agenda included the development of a self-help plan for Africa. Formed a year after The New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), CCAfrica shares NEPAD’s goal of African renewal.

CCAfrica believes that creating a framework for business to flourish is a critical aspect of Africa’s development challenge. As such, business can produce social good while creating financial returns that reward the risk and commitment of shareholders and stakeholders. CCAfrica strives for the creation of social value, transparency at home and abroad, the upholding of human rights, environmental stewardship, the health and safety of partners and communities, and the support of employees and stakeholder communities where HIV/AIDS is prevalent.

Mission

To facilitate and promote sustainable increased trade and investment between Canadian and African private and public sectors, according to appropriate corporate social responsibility (CSR) guidelines, for the mutual benefit of all.

Vision

To become Canada’s leading organization committed to the economic development of a modern competitive Africa.

Goals

All of the goals of CCAfrica are with the aim of upholding and attaining the mission statement. Thus, the following specific goals can be derived:

1. Encourage dialogue and discussion on questions of the economy and commerce relating to Canada and African countries, in a way that encourages an increase and a diversification of investment, as well as economic and commercial exchange between Canada and African countries.
2. Contribute to the understanding and evolution of economic and commercial relations between Canada and African countries, as well as promoting investment and commerce between Canada and African countries, specifically in the following ways:
   1. Acting as a think-tank for the promotion and development of economic and commercial politics between Canada and African countries, as well as giving council to the government of Canada, its agencies and provincial governments, and the governments of African countries.
   2. In collaboration with the government of Canada and the provincial governments, develop and maintain close relations with diverse national and regional groups dedicated to the realization of economic and commercial development projects between Canada and African countries.
   3. Conduct analyses, studies, research, and literature reviews necessary to the achievement of the CCAfrica’s mission and strategic goals.
   4. Acting, in accordance with means and opportunities, as promoter and organizer of events such as symposiums, conferences, seminars, briefings, and missions.

Membership and Member Services

CCAfrica is a non-profit organization dedicated to Africa’s economic development. The organization has over 150 members representing every sector of the economy: education, engineering, infrastructure, natural resources, energy, finance, legal, consulting, communications, information technology, manufacture, agri-food, environment, sustainable development, and health. In addition to active members, CCAfrica has associate members, such as the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and affiliated African members, such as Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA).

Many services are provided for members of CCAfrica. A notable service is the Business Development Service (BDS), a weekly publication sent out to members with relevant African business opportunities in their sector. CCAfrica also lobbies on behalf of and represents their members in dealings with the government. A great number of publications are also available to members, including newsletters, reports, briefing notes, the Africa News Clipping Service, and the Monthly African Indicators. In addition, members become part of a network of organizations that are players in the economic development of Africa, can be assisted in obtaining business visas, and are kept informed of various updates that can affect their business dealings in Africa.

Activities and Events

CCAfrica holds conferences, seminars, and briefings throughout Canada. The themes of these events range from natural resources and the economy to education and the Francophonie. All of these events seek to provide information to both members and non-members about business and development in Africa.

In addition to conferences and seminars, CCAfrica also hosts political and business delegations from African countries. Furthermore, CCAfrica leads Canadian business delegations to African countries. These help to promote business relations between Canadian businesses and institutions and their African counterparts.

Board of directors

Members

Québec

• Michel Côté, CRC Sogema
• Florian Kohler, Cordiant
• Yvon Bernier, DID
• Robert Blackburn, SNC-Lavalin
• Amina Gerba, Afrique Expansion Mag
• Jean-Michel Laurin, MEC
• Hamidou Mamadou Abdou, CIMA International
• Patrick Tobin, Rio Tinto Alcan
• Karl Miville-De Chêne, Contacts Monde
• Jean-Pierre Dubé, Tecsult AECOM

Ontario

• Stephen Dopp, Canadian Bank Note
• Karen McBride, AUCC
• David Baron, Cowater
• Marc Sitter, Sherritt International
• Matt Fisher, Anyway Env. Solutions
• Peter Kieran, CPCS
• Lucien Bradet, CCAfrica
• Peter Sinclair, Barrick
• Isa Odidi, IntelliPharmaceutics
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• Marie-Jose Fortin, ACCC

Western Canada

• Wayne Dunn
  Wayne Dunn
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  , CSR Resources
• Denis Painchaud, Nexen
• Shauna Mason, Artumas Group
• Eric Maxell, Manitoba Hydro It.
• Neil Sadler, IRD
• Brent Thompson, Wardrop
• David Gamble, IMW

Advisors

• Rizwan Haider, EDC
• Marthe Lemay, DFAIT
• Langis Lagacé, CIDA
• Shane Jaffer, Government of Alberta
• Rowena Dias, Government of Ontario
• Yves Morel, MDEIE (Quebec)

Canadian Offices

There are four CCAfrica offices across Canada: the President's Office, located in Ottawa (Ontario

Ontario

Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....

), with regional offices located in Toronto (Ontario

Ontario

Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....

), Montreal (Quebec

Quebec

Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....

) and Calgary (Alberta

Alberta

Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...

).