Minister Ng to visit South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia to deepen Canada’s economic engagement in the region

February 1, 2020 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, the Honourable Mary Ng, will travel to South Africa, Kenya, and Ethiopia from February 4^th to 10^th to meet with business leaders, civil society and our African partners to advance common goals.

Canada is committed to working closely with African nations to find new opportunities for our businesses to grow sustainably and responsibly, and to create good middle-class jobs for the people in our countries.

Minister Ng will travel first to South Africa where she will participate in the Mining Indaba Conference. She will highlight the sector’s significant collaboration with governments and local communities to develop natural resources in a way that promotes economic growth, reduces poverty, meets the highest environmental standards and respects human rights.

Minister Ng will then travel to Kenya and Ethiopia where she will lead a delegation of Canadian clean tech companies, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and producers to meet with local businesses and industry leaders to discuss clean growth opportunities for all three of our countries.

In Ethiopia, Minister Ng will join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to promote trade and investment, and unlock new opportunities for people and businesses in Canada and around the world.

Throughout the visit, Minister Ng will continue to advocate the importance of deepening Canada’s trade relationships with this diverse and dynamic continent to foster economic prosperity for all.

Quotes

“We know that trade and investments build vibrant economies – that’s why we are committed to engaging with our African partners to further our growing economic relationship. I look forward to continue working together towards a strong, rules-based trading system so that our businesses, workers and their families can benefit from the opportunities created by new and emerging markets.”

- Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade

Quick facts

Canada has a well-earned reputation as a global mining leader focused on innovation and good governance, as well as environmental and social responsibility.
As one of the continent’s most diversified and largest economies, South Africa is a prime destination for Canadian goods and services with two-way merchandise trade totaling $1.37 billion in 2018.
Additionally, Canada is a significant investor in South Africa, particularly in mineral and mining sector, as well as the transportation, food processing, hospitality, and information and communication technologies sectors.
Canada has a well-established trade relationship with Kenya. In 2018, two-way merchandise trade reached $174.5 million, which consisted of $141.4 million in exports to Kenya and $33.1 million in imports from Kenya.
Canada values the growing commercial ties with Ethiopia, especially in sectors of common interest, such as clean technology.
In 2018, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Ethiopia totalled over $170.2 million in 2018. This consisted of $130.3 million in exports to and $39.9 million in imports from Ethiopia.

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