The 2025 Federal Budget outlines Canada’s aspirations for global competitiveness, sustainable growth, and diversified trade. Beneath the surface of carefully crafted talking points lies a sobering truth. Canada continues to exclude Africa, the most dynamic and demographically critical region of the 21st century, from its economic vision.
This Budget dedicates significant attention to Europe and the Indo-Pacific, regions with long-established Canadian partnerships. It reaffirms Canada’s commitment to the United States and other top trading partners. However, there is no strategy, no funding, and no meaningful engagement with Africa.
This omission is not only a moral failing. It is a strategic one.
Recent global events have demonstrated the risks of relying too heavily on a limited set of economic allies. The United States has shown itself to be unpredictable on trade policy. Canada must take this lesson seriously. Diversification cannot mean reinforcing the same narrow group of partners. It must mean opening new economic corridors, particularly with the African continent, which is home to the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets and a projected 25 percent of the global population by 2050.
Canada’s current export profile is dangerously top-heavy:
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United States: $337B (75.4 percent)
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China: $18B (3.9 percent)
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United Kingdom: $15B (3.3 percent)
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Japan: $9B (2.1 percent)
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Mexico: $6B (1.2 percent)
Africa does not even register. This is a strategic oversight with long-term consequences.
In May 2025, Canada joined G7 Finance Ministers in Banff in publicly endorsing the World Bank-led RISE initiative, aimed at integrating low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, into global clean energy supply chains. Yet Budget 2025 contains no plan to deliver on that commitment. The Canada–Africa Strategy, released earlier this year, remains unfunded, lacks an implementation plan, and shows no visible intent to engage the African diaspora as strategic partners in Canada’s global agenda.
Even more revealing was Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent statement at the G20. When asked about Africa’s role in Canada’s economic plans, he responded that it was not a top priority because the government has a responsibility to focus on the highest return. This is more than a policy choice. It is a public confirmation that Canada does not view Africa as a strategic partner, but as a low-return market.
This is not oversight. It is a deliberate decision to sideline a continent of 1.5 billion people rich in innovation, human capital, and critical resources.
Africa appears to be valued by Canada primarily for the extraction of human capital, not for economic partnership. Canada’s immigration strategy increasingly relies on highly skilled African professionals who pay inflated immigration fees to fill domestic labour shortages. This approach depletes African expertise while benefiting Canada’s economy. African students pay high international tuition fees and workers fill essential roles, yet there is little reciprocal investment in trade, innovation, or policy frameworks.
This is not partnership. It is extractive.
If Canada truly values African talent, it must also value African markets, entrepreneurs, and leadership. Anything less is a one-sided relationship framed as diplomacy.
Canada Needs a New Trade Philosophy
Budget 2025 had an opportunity to correct course by investing in bilateral agreements, market-entry programs, diaspora-led innovation, and export development focused on Africa. It failed to do so.
The Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce calls on the Government of Canada to:
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Immediately allocate funds to implement the Canada–Africa Strategy
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Develop a dedicated Africa–Canada trade and innovation framework
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Integrate diaspora-led trade networks into Canada’s economic diversification strategy
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Embed Africa as a priority in future federal Budgets, G7 agendas, and diplomatic planning
Canada cannot credibly claim leadership in global equity, economic resilience, or inclusive prosperity while excluding the African continent from its strategic vision. Ignoring Africa is ignoring the future.
Deborah-Zita Somakoko
Founder and President
Phone: +1-888-973-8403
Email: info@bmbcc.ca
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