The Afri Tech Summit 2024, taking place from October 3-5, has emerged as a pivotal platform for discussing Canada’s evolving framework of engagement with Africa.
The event, organized by Afrifursa, features a diverse lineup of leaders and innovators, including Canada’s Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, and Ndidi Okonkwo, CEO of ONE Canada.
During a key panel discussion, Minister Hussen reiterated Canada’s commitment to fostering equitable partnerships with African nations. He emphasized the importance of bilateral visits between leaders to cultivate focused collaboration and mutual understanding.
Almaz Negash, CEO and Founder of the African Diaspora Network, who highlighted the significant economic contributions of the African diaspora in a form of remittances in 2020 sent to and within Africa, which amount to $80 billion in 2020—three times more than the development aid received by the continent. Almaz called for the diaspora to be recognized as core investors in Africa’s economy and shared her network’s efforts to connect diaspora communities with their home countries for meaningful impact. Eritrean American Almaz is a members of President Biden’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States.
Other notable speakers included Adetunji Eleso of Grand Challenges Canada, Jean-Philbert Nsengimana from Africa CDC, Fosa Obano of the African Impact Initiative, Tapfuma Musewe, Executive Director at Afrifursa and Joseph Wong Vice-President at International Office University of Toronto. They collectively underscored the necessity of engaging the African diaspora and addressing systemic barriers faced by Black and African Canadian communities.
The summit, themed “Innovating the Future, Embracing the Past,” also focuses on Afrofuturism, exploring the intersection of technology with the aspirations and challenges of the African diaspora. This aligns with the United Nations’ International Decade of People of African Descent (2015-2025) and aims to promote economic, social, and cultural rights.
Through interactive discussions and workshops, the summit seeks to foster anti-racism and intercultural understanding, positioning itself as a critical forum for shaping the future of Canada-Africa relations.
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