Canada, Côte d’Ivoire Chambers Sign MoU as Bilateral Trade Hits Can$1.2 billion

August 14, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and the Chambre de Commerce Canada Côte d’Ivoire have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding private-sector trade and investment between Canada and Côte d’Ivoire, as bilateral trade reached a record 1.2 billion Canadian dollars in 2025.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration, reciprocal participation in events and joint initiatives, while extending the full benefits of Canada-Africa Chamber of Business membership to the Ivorian chamber.

The agreement was signed during the first visit to Côte d’Ivoire by Anita Anand, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs. In a joint statement issued the same day, Anand and Nialé Kaba, Côte d’Ivoire’s minister of state and minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, committed to encouraging further partnerships between businesses in the two countries.

The chamber agreement comes as Canada seeks to diversify its trade relationships and deepen economic engagement with African markets. Previous agreements between Canadian and African business organisations signed during ministerial visits have led to private-sector trade missions and participation in Canada-Africa business conferences.

Garreth Bloor, president of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, said the agreement would give businesses on both sides of the Atlantic additional channels for trade, investment and commercial collaboration.

The partnership will also be showcased at Africa Accelerating 2026, the chamber’s flagship business gathering, scheduled for October 6-7 in Toronto. The event is expected to bring together business delegations from across Africa, including representatives and members of the Chambre de Commerce Canada Côte d’Ivoire.

The agreement also comes as companies seek to improve the infrastructure supporting trade between North America and African markets. Storspay, a Canada-Africa Chamber member, provides cross-border payroll and supplier payments for North American businesses working with teams across Africa.

The payments company currently operates in 15 African corridors, including Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and South Africa, according to founder and chief executive Sam Alonge.

Paula Caldwell St-Onge, chair of the Canada-Africa Chamber’s board, said private-sector companies would be central to turning the agreement into commercial opportunities. She cited Storspay and headline sponsor Elephant Trade-Services as examples of businesses supporting the chamber’s trade and investment objectives.

Source: FSX Business News