September 12th – 15th 2019 

The times and activities on this schedule are subject to change without notice, and not all activities listed are included with conference registration. Session descriptions and presenter information will be available in the final forum schedule and handbook.

*Only full fee-paying delegates entitled to tours and welcome reception

Day 1

  • 6.00am International Delegates Arrival
  • 02.00pm Pre-Booked One to One Business Meetings for delegations

Day 2

  • 08.00am – 10.00am Accreditation and Pass collection! Networking
  • 10.00am – 11.00am Opening Ceremony at the Ontario Investment and Trade Center (OITC)
  • Goodwill Messages: – H.E Senator Professor Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria– Karol Quintero, Deputy Consul Karol Quintero, Embassy of Angola– Sherrif Sonko Ambassador At Large Republic of Gambia– Hon. Mr. Thomas F.K. Seshie, Ghanaian Consular General Toronto
  • Keynote:  Mohamed Nur Galal, Senior Adviser to the office of the Prime Minister, Somalia
  • Panel 1:  Fostering Inclusive and gender transformative education in Africa and the Global South     Moderator: Dr. Yetunde A. Odugbesan-Omede, Professor of Global Affairs and PoliticsSpeakers: –Sonia Marville-Carter, Consul General, Consulate General of Barbados                          – Karol Quintero, Deputy Consul Karol Quintero, Embassy of Angola –  Jennifer Reynolds President and CEO of Toronto Finance International   –  H.E Mrs Ayade, First Lady of Cross River State

     – Oluremi Adewale, President, Women Focus Canada                

  • Speakers: 
  • 11.00am – Panel 2: Investment opportunities in Africa’s Infrastructure and Energy Sectors Speakers:  -Katie Sullivan, Managing Director, IETA  – Anton Tabuns, Senior Advisor, Mantle 314  – Samira Negm, Founder, RAYE7 Egypt    – Mike Marta Director of Operations Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA)
  • 12.00pm – Panel 3:  Building an Inclusive Digital Economy for TomorrowSpeakers:– Steve Borza. CEO and President Bluink Ltd. – Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance – Nicolas Cary, Co-Founder Blockchain   – Panel 4: Developing vibrant domestic markets in Africa and the Global South                       Speakers

    – Abdessamad Abouti Associate Director – European Bank for Reconstruction & Development                

                          –  Ngozi Bell, Partner, Trans Sahara Investment Corporation

                          – Chris Clubb, Managing Director, Convergence Finance

    Panel 5: Corruption and Challenges in the African Political Process

    Speakers:

    – Hon. Anthony Emeka Elekeokwuri, Delta State House of Assembly Nigeria

    – Muhammed Magassy, MP, Gambian National Assembly

    – Mohamed Moalim Yahya, MP, Federal Parliament of Somalia

    – Bruce Berman, Former Director of Ethnicity and Democratic Governance Program

  • 01.00pm – Refreshment Break
  • 01.20pm          –      Panel 6: The Role of Innovation and the Green Economy in meeting the continent’s unique challenges Speakers:-Alain L. Fymat, Director, Society for The Advancement Of Science In Africa

    – Mike Baker, Executive Director, Bluewater Wood Alliance.

    – Rumina Dhalla, Professor and CSR/Sustainability Coordinator and MBA Graduate Coordinator, University of Guelph

     – Riyadh Issaka, Advisor to Traditional Ruler of Accra

  • Fireside Chat: Improving Canada – Africa Relations  – Maxwell Asante, Deputy Director of Communications, Office of the President of the Republic of Ghana– John Adeyefa President, African Canadian Association– Peter Dawes, Honorary Consul of the Ivory Coast to Canada
  • 02.20pm – Performance 
  • 02.30pm – Keynote Remark – DISCOVER CROSS RIVER – H.E Senator Professor Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria   
  • 03.00pm          –      From Made in China To Made In Africa (Afrindustrialisation)Moderator: Joseph HammondSpeakers:

    -Robert Tama Lisinge UN Economic Commission for Africa, Strategic Planning  & Operational Quality Division

    – Mohamed Moalim Yahya, MP, Federal Parliament of Somalia

     – Fatima Habiss, First Lady of the High Commission of Nigeria to Sierra Leone

     – Dr. Macaulay Kalu, Chairman of the African Union Six Region Canada (AU6RC)

  • 03.30pm     –         Fostering the Creative Economy and Innovation to meet the continent’s unique challengesSpeakers:-Alain L. Fymat Science Director, and Scientific Committee Chair Society For The Advancement Of Science In Africa (SASA)

    – Dr. Macaulay Kalu, Chairman of the African Union Six Region Canada (AU6RC)

    –Brian Dodo CEO/Founder, MAPP Africa Inc

    -Elmira Shans, Program and Venture Lead, Sandbox

  • 04.00pm          –    Inspiring Youth Leaders PanelSpeakers– Fatoumatta Sisay, Marketing Manager, Alkamba Travel

     – Celestina Aleobua, Film Actress

    – Archibald Frimpong, Assistant Technical Officer, Office of the Chief of Staff, Presidency of Ghana

    – Bernard Oduro Takyi Regional Coordinator Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs – West Africa

    -Lily Akagbosu, President Carleton University Students’ Association

    – Abdoulie Bah, Association of Youth with a Vision Gambia

  • 04.30pm            –           Closing Plenary

Day 3

  • 12pm – One to One Business Matchmaking sessions for pre-booked organisation and delegations 
  • 12pm – Tours session for other delegates

Day 4

  • 09.00               –           Departures for International Delegates* Study Visit and Tours to pre-arranged Canadian Institutions and Organisations will concurrently*Only full fee-paying delegates entitled to tours and matchmaking session