The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, visited Ethiopia this week to meet with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Sahle-Work Zewde, as well as Ethiopian partners and stakeholders. The visit coincided with the 33rd African Union (AU) Summit, providing an opportunity for the Prime Minister to also meet with other world leaders from across the continent.
The visit focused on advancing economic growth through the creation of jobs and opportunities for young people, innovative climate action, democracy and governance, and the empowerment of women and girls. Prime Minister Trudeau also announced concrete ways that Canada is working with Ethiopia and the continent to advance these shared priorities.
Regional engagement
Canada will work with partners in Africa to advance shared priorities. We will:
- Support the African Development Bank, a key institution that plays a critical role in the growth and development of Africa. Canada’s support will help African countries access the financing they need to continue important work focused on agriculture, energy, transport, water, sanitation, health, education, and the environment. Canada will contribute $355.2 million over three years for the 15th replenishment of the African Development Fund. The Fund provides low-interest loans and grants to support economic and social development in the least developed African countries.
- Hold the first high-level consultations with the African Union Commission. During the high-level consultations, Canada and the Commission will explore how to deepen ongoing work on common priorities, including peace and security, gender equality, trade policy, and regional integration.
Trade and investment priorities
Regional
To advance trade and investment priorities in the region, Canada will:
- Help provide leadership training to 200 youth leaders and support women-led businesses serving conflict-affected communities by investing $4.8 million to ACUMEN, an international non-profit organization.
- Increase access to economic opportunities and address barriers for 150,000 women cross-border traders in East Africa by contributing $15 million to TradeMark East Africa.
Ethiopia
To advance trade and investment opportunities with Ethiopia, Canada will:
- Co-host the first Canada-Africa Clean Growth Symposium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2021, to help match Canadian clean technology companies with Ethiopia government and private sector leaders.
- Support Ethiopia’s participation in a forum on infrastructure development, to take place in Canada in 2021. The focus of the forum will be the use of public-private partnerships (PPP), an area in which Canada and Ethiopia are increasing their collaboration.
- Welcome the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations. The agreement will help accelerate trade and investment between Canada and Ethiopia, one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Innovative climate action
Regional
To support innovative climate action in Africa, Canada will:
- Contribute financing to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research to support research into agriculture and food systems with the goal of reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving the management of natural resources. This is a $40 million contribution.
- Provide financing to the International Fund for Agricultural Development to support agricultural growth and inclusive rural transformation in developing countries, with an emphasis on Africa. This is a $150 million loan to the fund.
Ethiopia
To support innovative climate action in Ethiopia, Canada will:
- Help empower women managing small farms and improve their ability to generate income through business development support and training, improved land tenure, and the introduction of climate-smart agricultural techniques. Canada will invest $20 million in Ethiopia’s Land Management Program through the Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods for Women initiative managed by the World Bank.
Strengthening inclusive democratic governance
Regional
To strengthen regional peace and security, Canada will:
- Help prevent, detect, and respond to all manner of biological threats in Africa. Canada will provide $3.6 million in funding to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity capabilities in the region.
- Support urgent peacebuilding needs by contributing $6 million to the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. This funding will support the country’s transition from UN peacekeeping missions to civilian-led ones.
Ethiopia
To strengthen democracy and advance peace and security in Ethiopia, Canada will:
- Welcome Ethiopia as a member of Canada’s Military Training Cooperation Program. The program delivers military training to member countries and helps build their security capacity, with a focus on activities that permit joint participation in peace support operations.
- Support work by the Ethiopian government and non-government partners to empower voters and candidates, and strengthen democracy by providing $1.25 million for the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia.
Advancing gender equality, and empowering women and girls
Regional
To advance gender equality on the continent, Canada will:
- Support the African Union Commission to increase gender equality and women’s empowerment in sectors such as peace and security, trade, economic development, and regional integration. Canada will contribute $10 million.
- Support women’s economic empowerment and the gender equality capacity of selected Regional Economic Communities by providing $8.3 million to the United Nations Development Programme.
Ethiopia
To advance gender equality and empower women and girls in Ethiopia, Canada will:
- Contribute to Marie Stopes International to help 350,000 adolescent girls have increased access to family services. Canada’s $20 million contribution will strengthen the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls.
- Provide funding to UNICEF to help provide 1.7 million women and girls with improved health services to treat and prevent complications related to female genital mutilation. Canada will provide $10 million in funding.
- Support the growth of entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses in Ethiopia, with a focus on those owned by young people and women. Canada will provide $8.5 million of funding to RENEW and $12.9 million to Digital Opportunity Trust.