Groundbreaking Report on Canada's Trade Future with Africa and the Caribbean

WATERLOO, Canada – A new report analyzing 15 years of trade data finds that Canada's engagement with Africa and the Caribbean remains minimal and starkly misaligned with its own economic diversification policy. Trade with Africa constitutes just 1% of Canada's total merchandise trade, while trade with the Caribbean is statistically negligible (0%), despite geographic proximity and significant long-term potential.
Titled Beyond the U.S.: Canada's Strategic Turn to Africa and the Caribbean, the report from the CanAfro Research Institute identifies a persistent "trust deficit" and reliance on outdated, extractive economic models as primary barriers. "We can continue a 20th-century approach focused on extraction, or we can pioneer a 21st-century partnership built on shared capability, mutual security, and restorative justice. Our economic future and global influence depend on this choice," noted the report authors.
The analysis reveals a critical diversification paradox, where Canada's trade with these regions remains concentrated in volatile raw materials, creating dependency rather than resilient partnership. It further warns that Canada is lagging behind other global powers who have built deeper economic and strategic ties in Africa and the Caribbean.

To address this gap, the report proposes a blueprint for a "New Covenant of Tripartite Partnership," featuring five concrete recommendations:

• Creation of a C$2-5 billion Atlantic Partnership Fund for value-added projects.
• Implementation of a 20% Local Lending Mandate for Canadian banks operating in the Caribbean.
• Legislation of a Canadian Standard for Ethical Resources for overseas projects.
• Establishment of a Diaspora-Led Africa-Caribbean Policy Centre.
• Immigration reforms, including a new "Builders Visa."

The CanAfro Research Institute is a community-driven, multidisciplinary "Think-Do" nonprofit that empowers African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) and other underserved communities through data-driven research, advocacy, and action.

The full report, Beyond the U.S.: Canada's Strategic Turn to Africa and the Caribbean, is publicly available for download.

For Media Inquiries or Consultancy Requests:
CanAfro Research Institute

Email: contact@canafroinstitute.com  

Website: https://www.canafroinstitute.com 

Report Link: https://www.canafroinstitute.com/l/new-research-policy-report/ 

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Empowering Young Minds: CanAfro Volunteers Lead Mentorship and Storytelling Workshop for African Children in KWC

Volunteers from the CanAfro Research Institute recently delivered a free mentorship and workshop session for African children in the Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge region recently. Drawing on the Institute's ongoing research, the interactive sessions explored themes of history, storytelling, and mental health, offering a culturally-grounded space for learning, reflection, and self-expression.

The program aimed to strengthen cultural pride, build resilience, and foster a sense of belonging among the youth. Children engaged in meaningful conversations, creative activities, and shared personal narratives inspired by CanAfro's findings.

The workshop was warmly received by participants and families alike, with many expressing enthusiasm for future sessions. CanAfro Research Institute is committed to continuing this volunteer-led initiative, supporting African Canadian youth through research-informed programming that uplifts and empowers.

The final message of the day was "Don't get lost in the wrong crowed!"

 Research Papers

Some of them are restricted until finalized, with all work conducted by volunteers.

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