Friends of Africa 11th Annual Economic Summit
Rebuilding Small Businesses for Economic Trade
October 1 - 3, 2021 Toronto, Canada
Welcome Message Dr. Olutoyin Oyelade President, Casa Foundation for International Development Welcome to the Friends of Africa economic summit! I am excited for this opportunity to connect with an audience of international trade, business professional delegates, investors, and entrepreneurs from across Africa and Canada under the theme “Rebuilding Businesses for Global Trade.” Indeed it has been a challenging year for businesses, both on the large scale and for smaller businesses. The pandemic has forced many business owners out of a source of income, and is threatening many more. Our focus this weekend is to provide ideas and motivation that business owners can use to revitalize their enterprises. As we are well aware, small businesses play a vital role in building economies. Being able to network with private and public sector leaders as well as government representatives will pave the way for businesses to re-open and thrive, which in itself will serve as a catalyst to kickstart the economy. Thanks to all our speakers who will participate in this weekend's event. We look forward to hearing from you. We are also eagerly anticipating all the events scheduled for this weekend, including the panel discussions, Marketplace and Pitch Masters contest. Again, on behalf of Casa Foundation for Development, welcome to Friends of Africa 2021!
International
Goodwill Message The Hon. Doug Ford Premier of Ontario
Premier Doug Ford started as a Canadian businessman before he became a politician and now serves the 26th Premier of Ontario since June 29, 2018. He represents the riding of Etobicoke North. With his brother Randy, Ford co-owns Deco Labels and Tags, a printing business operating in Canada and the United States that was founded by their father, Doug Ford Sr., who served as a Member of Provincial Parliament from 1995 to 1999. Ford was Toronto City Councillor for Ward 2 Etobicoke North from 2010 to 2014 at the same time that his brother, Rob Ford, was Mayor of Toronto. Ford ran for the 2014 Toronto mayoral election, where he placed second behind John Tory. In 2018, Ford won the party leadership election of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party and led the Tories to a majority win in the 2018 Ontario general election.
Keynote Address
His Excellency Prof. Yemi Osinbajo Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria Professor Yemi is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who is currently serving as the Vice President of Nigeria, since 29 May, 2015. He attended the London School of Economics, where he obtained a Master of Laws degree. In the honor Prof, a group called "Friends of Prof" was conceptualised with the aim of promoteing entrepreneurial endeavours within Nigeria's regions. The group provided a numbers of starts-ups and small businesses with one-off grants.
Conference Agenda - Day 1
Conference Agenda - Day 2
Conference Agenda - Day 2 (Cont'd)
FOA 2021 - Speaker Bios H.E Ali Adoum
His Excellency Ali Adoum is the Ambassador of the Republic of Chad in Canada. He is also the Dean of all African Ambassadors in Canada. He has also represented Chad in Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, United Kingdom and the European Community. In May 2014, Adoum was appointed as Ambassador to Canada. Adoum received a diploma in education from Université de Brazzaville, a bachelor’s degree in political science from Université Laval in Quebec City, and his master’s degree from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine
The Hon Dr. Jean Augustine is the first Black Federal Minister and Member of Parliament in Canada. She is the Founder of the Jean Augustine Centre for the Empowerment of Girls. Jean has a Master's degree in Education. She served as the Member of Parliament for the Toronto-area riding of EtobicokeLakeshore, winning four consecutive elections until her retirement from politics in 2006. Jean’s work as a parliamentarian included service as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Minister and Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women, Chair of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee and Chair of the National Women’s Caucus. In her final year, Jean was elected Deputy Speaker by her peers.
The Hon. David Osiany
Hon. David Osiany, HSC is the Chief Administrative Secretary for the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade & Enterprise Development. He is a consummate policy analyst and communication specialist. His extensive multi-sectoral experience spans the areas of public policy, strategic communications and government relations. He served as a Special Advisor in the office of the Prime Minister of Kenya (2012-2013). He also formerly worked for Oxfam GB Pan-African program as a Governance Associate as well as a news anchor for Kenya’s leading broadcasting group, Royal Media Services’ HOT96 FM. Mr. Osiany holds BA (Comms) from University of Nairobi and MSc in Public Policy from the University of Bristol, England courtesy of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship program. He is also a UNEP-Bayer Young Environmental Envoy awardee (2009).
FOA 2021 - Speaker Bios The Hon. Amelia Anne Kayambadde
Amelia Anne Kyambadde is the Senior Presidential Adviser on Industry to the President of the Republic of Uganda. Amelia Anne Kyambadde would best be defined as a Ugandan Philanthropist, Politician, and mother. She served as the elected Member of Parliament for Mawokota North County in Mpigi District of Uganda between 2011 and 2021. On 27th May 2011 she was appointed State Minister for Trade and Industry. On 6 June 2016, she was named Cabinet Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. Amelia Kyambadde holds a degree of Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), from Makerere University. She also holds the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA), from the American InterContinental University in London, United Kingdom.
H.E Fatima Braoule Meite
Her excellency Fatima Braoulé Méïté is the ambassador of Mali in Canada in addition to her role as Permanent Representative of Mali with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). She has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration as well as a double major in sociology. Her expertise has been to ensure the continuity of Maternal, Neonatal, Infant, and Adolescent Health (MNIAH) services and the protection of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). Her work as a consultant has included the United Nations, the European Union, and Luxembourg cooperation covering human rights, the advancement of women, and especially issues of decentralization and poverty alleviation.
H.E Bafétigué Ouattara
He is the Ambassador of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in Canada and deputy permanent representative at Permanent Mission of Cote d'Ivoire to the United
Nations.
The Hon. Parm Gill He is the member of Provincial Parliament and the minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism. He is also a member of standing committee on Justice Policy. Before politics, he was an entrepreneur and has worked on his family’s businesses, which include a furniture manufacturing factory and few restaurants.
FOA 2021 - Speaker Bios
H.E. Otunba. Adeniyi Adebayo
Following his inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on 21 August 2019, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo, CON, became Nigeria’s 40th Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to oversee government’s goal of economic diversification to non-oil revenue earnings. As the number one investment driver of Nigeria, Adebayo is leading the promotion of government’s policies of Ease of Doing Business, job creation, poverty eradication and industrialization. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Nigerian Institute of Management, a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria and a Director of the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria. He is also a member of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Nigeria.
The Hon. Mohammad Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou
Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou is Professor of International History and Politics and Chair of the International History and Politics Department. He is Visiting Professor at Sciences Po Paris. Professor Mohamedou holds a PhD in Political Science from the City University of New York. He was Scholar-in-Residence at the Harvard University Centre for Middle Eastern Studies in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was Director of Research at the Geneva-based International Council on Human Rights Policy, prior to returning to Harvard where he was Associate Director of the Programme on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research. He is the recipient of the 20202021 International Studies Association (ISA) Global South Distinguished Award.
Justine Namara VP, Strategic Partnerships Africa Trade Desk
MC/Host - FOA 2021 Justine is an International Trade and Development Expert and a passionate champion and advocate for inclusive trade and sustainable development. An internationally trained lawyer, Justine brings over ten years' experience working on development impact, championing people-centred solutions from the grassroots to global policy change and is currently the Director of Policy and Strategic Partnerships at the Africa Trade Desk. Prior to this, Justine led Strategic Initiatives at Skills for Change as the Associate Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives. She has also managed the partnership, outreach and advocacy portfolio at the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s EIF program in Geneva, Switzerland for least developed countries, and as the lead on gender and trade. Before this, she worked as a legal trade and development specialist in the public and private sector, reviewing policies, laws and promoting pro-poor trade and livelihoods in Uganda. Justine is a Board Advisor at the City of Toronto’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee and also serves on OWIT-Toronto’s Board of Directors as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, leading on attracting and growing partnerships that promote women doing business internationally. Justine holds an LL.M. in International Trade and Investment Law (University of Western Cape, South Africa), a Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (BAR COURSE) and a Bachelor of Laws Degree (Hons).
EP Academy Established in 2018, EP Academy is an educational centre that offers learning opportunities in the form of continuing education programs, seminars, workshops, and roundtable events on leadership, business, finance, and risk management.
Visit EP Academy for more info: https://www.entrepreneurspoint.com/ep-academy
FOA 2021 - Speaker Bios Arc. Sola Oyelade
Sola is the Principal Architect at Casa Developments, Nigeria. Sola founded Casa Developments, Nigeria in 1994. Casa has designed, constructed and delivered over 30 commercial buildings and residentials successfully in Nigeria. Casa has designed and /or project managed other public buildings including the SouthWest Civic Centre, Library, Market Mall, the legendary Ikogosi Warm Springs, and Splash World- Waterpark, all in Nigeria. Sola holds a B. Architecture, M. Arch. Degree from the University of Lagos, and is a graduate of Harvard Graduate School’s Advanced Management Design Program. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Chartered Architect. He belongs to professional bodies including the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Project Management Institute (PMI), and Ontario Association of Architects (OAA).
Dr. Olutoyin Oyelade
Olutoyin is the founding partner/CEO at InVcap Corporation — An Investment advisory firm with partners in Nigeria and Canada. She supervises InVcap’s Investment strategy. In 2019, Olutoyin was Inducted into the GLOBAL Leaders Forum by Women of Influence, Canada. Olutoyin has founded many non-profit initiatives and social enterprises including, Casa Foundation, AfroInvestors, Friends of Africa, and EP Academy all in Canada. She is the recipient of many awards including the Diasporan Achiever Award-Nigeria; Women of Courage Award-Canada; African Impact Leadership Award at African Women Forum, NewYork, SuperWomen Achievers Awards in Canada, amongst others. O Olutoyin has a Doctorate in Management (Leadership) from the University of Maryland, University College, and is a graduate of Wharton School’s Advanced management program, IMD Lausanne’s Business Marketing, and Lagos Business School’s Senior Management Program.
Cheryl Bedard
Cheryl is the co-founder of Bedard Associates. She serves as a member of faculty at EP Academy, Toronto and serves on the Board of Immigrant Women in Business, Canada. Her knowledge-base encompasses marketing, sales, and branding across a wide spectrum of industries, as well as her own life experience. It is her ability to constantly apply this knowledge to her clients’ specific needs which makes a difference in her clients’ lives. Cheryl is a certified Financial planner
FOA 2021 - Speaker Bios Patricia Bebia Mawa Patricia Bebia Mawa is the President of Planet Africa Group and Executive VP of Afroglobal TV, Canada. She is an alumna of Algonquin College of Science and Technology. Patricia Bebia Mawa has directed and produced over 15 television programs, published multiple editions of 3 magazines, and currently hosts Planet Africa on OMNI TV. In 2016, she and her husband launched Afroglobal Television, a 24-hour television channel that is currently on Rogers Cable, Bell Fibe, Eastlink, and Telus across Canada. Listed in the Who’s Who in Black Canada, she is a recipient of the Toronto Police Community Service Award, the International Women Achievers Award, the Martin Luther King DreamKeeper Award, and a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Professor Wendy Cukier
Wendy Cukier is one of Canada’s leading experts in disruptive technologies, innovation processes and diversity. She is a professor of Information Technology and Management. She has written more than 200 papers on technology, innovation and management and is co-author of the bestseller “Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Java to Jurassic Park.” She is the Founder of Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute, which she founded in 1999 and has led projects aimed at promoting the participation and advancement of underrepresented groups. She is a recipient of the Governor General’s Meritorious Cross. Dr. Cukier holds an MA and MBA from the University of Toronto, a PhD from the Schulich School of Business, York University. She has also received an honorary doctorate from Laval University in medicine, dentistry and nursing and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Concordia University.
Efosa Obano
Efosa is a strategic management alumnus of the University of Toronto, where he now manages an initiative that supports Black founders with capital, community and capacity building. He also started and leads the African Impact Initiative, which invests in young African innovators. He has experience with using technology to create social impact, invest with impact, and build ventures. He recently led a team that guided startups on their technology strategies and digital transformation journeys with Dell. He also led community outreach for Dell Canada’s Social Impact Team & Black Networking Alliance.
InVcap InVcap is an Investment Advisor that provides accredited Investors access to investment opportunities in the frontier markets of Africa. Our investment focus is driven by the high growth opportunity in the Frontier Markets- which represents a total of 17 of the 20 fastest growing economies in the world. InVcap targets clients in the commercial real estate, hospitality, consumer, and tourism sectors and commits capital to develop support infrastructure for these projects.
FOA 2021 - Speaker Bios Idas Levato Idas is the founder of WERK TO. Before then, she worked as business development manager at Angel Investors of Ontario. She has a proven track record in engaging growing companies and helping them to optimize organizational skills and effectiveness; and sharpen focus on the delivery of very specific goals. WERK is a women investors founders, entrepreneurs, startups, businesses, mentors, VCs, speakers. WERK is connecting and supporting women in business. WERK share resources, knowledge, talent opportunities. As cognitive bias is a consistent obstacle for success in many organizations, Idas brings a systematic approach and utilize cogent behavioural economic insights to help teams discover actions and interventions which engages people and create real effective change and opportunities.
Puneet Rai
Puneet Rai is the sales manager for Edusity. He has extensive experience in sales, the technology industries and education from positions in Canada,Dubai and India.
Kate Baggot Kate Baggott is the Head of Content and Communications at Edusity. She has taught and conducted research at Hochschule Darmstadt, Hochschule RheinMain and Brock University.
Vernette Eugene Director, Change Management and Global Human Resources, Scotiabank. Vernette Eugene brings with her over a decade of Canadian and International experience in the financial services industry. In her current role as Director, Change Management at Scotiabank, she oversees the change management and design thinking approach on all large projects within the Global HR Portfolio. With a passion for financial literacy, education and empowerment, she is a contributing writer to publications like, SHE Caribbean, a Magazine dedicated to the Caribbean woman, a personal finance blogger, and a Mentor to young people and new immigrants to Canada. Vernette is also an entrepreneur and holds an MBA in Innovation and Technology from Schulich School of Business.
FOA 2021 - Speaker Bios Stephanie Dei Stephanie is the Director of Research Partnerships at the Diversity Institute, Ryerson University. Before then she was the National Head of the United Nations Women (UNWomen) program in Canada. In that role she served as the representative of the European Union, and International Labour Organization for the WE Empower Program of the United Nations in Canada. Stephanie interfaces with programme partners and the private sector in Canada to promote the Women’s Empowerment Principles of the United Nations in Canada. Stephanie holds a BA Honours in Political Science and Law from Carleton University, Canada, an MA in International Studies and Diplomacy from SOAS, University of London. Stephanie is a mother of three energetic and empowered kids.
Adekunle Akintayo
Adekunle is the National Head of Technical Production at Qatar Petroleum with responsibility for Production , management, and distribution. In other Advisory roles, Adekunle serves as the VP, Business Development at InVcap. He is a member of the Investment Committee where he is involved in the screening of investments and the development and implementation of InVcap’s corporate strategy. Ade brings about 23 years working experience in financial, contracting and project management from the oil & gas industry. Adekunle holds an MBA from Manchester Business School, an M. Sc. in Mechatronics from Kings College, London, and a B. Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from Nigeria’s University of Lagos.
Nadine Spencer Nadine Spencer is the CEO of Brand EO Group Inc., a global marketing and communications agency specializing in marketing, communications, and public relations. She currently serves as President/CEO of the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) and Director both on the York University Alumni Board and the Lifelong Leadership Institute Board. Nadine holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with Honours from York University. She has participated in discussions with the White House on issues regarding anti-discrimination, equity for women and girls of colour and other relevant topics related to the uplifting of marginalized people in society.
FOA 2021 - Speaker Bios Professor Komlan Sedzro
Komlan Sedzro is the Dean of the School of Management, University of Quebec in Montreal. Komlan is a Professor of Finance. In 2016 he became the Director of the Finance Department. at ESG UQAM, and then the research director of the RBC Chair in Financial Services Management. At UQAM, he has served at various times as director of the Master of Science in Applied Finance and DESS in Finance, of the DESS in Financial Derivative Instruments which he held, initiated and developed in collaboration with the Montreal Stock Exchange. Komlan has been a professor in the Department of Finance at ESG UQAM since 1997. He holds a master’s degree in business economics from the University of Clermont in France and a doctorate in Business Administration (Finance and Insurance) from Laval University.
Susan Namulindwa Susan is the Chair, Afro-Canadian Chamber of Commerce. She also serves as the Executive Director, Africa Trade Desk in Canada. She has vast experience as an entrepreneur and management consultant in Environmental science, Industrial manufacturing, Green technologies, organic farming, and sustainable development. Susan has worked with several African Governments, Regional Governments, local Governors, and community leaders across Africa on Environmental, Social License, and Corporate Governance issues. Susan holds a BSC. in industrial chemistry and postgraduate certificates in Environmental Science and Renewable energy.
Professor Nancy Adossi
Nancy Adossi is a Professor at the University of Houston-Downtown. She recently joined the United Nations Migration as an Expert on Labor Migration in the United States of America. Before then, Nancy worked for three years in Canada as the in-house Entrepreneur & Coach at Skills for Change. Over these years, Nancy coached nearly 300 newcomers in the Ontario province thorough a project funded by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada / Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada. She received her Doctorate in 2017 from the University of Houston and has a Masters of Public Administration and a Bachelors of Science in Political Science. Nancy worked as an Adjunct and Instructor at Skills for Change, Canada.
Casa Foundation launched its program implementation of the Black Entrepreneurship Program at an info session on the 31st August, 2021. The new program was introduced as The Black Advisory Hub (BAH), a National program for Black Entrepreneurs and supporting organizations in the Ecosystem. The services of BAH are available from the GTA and other cities in Ontario, and other BAH Regional Offices across Canada. Casa Foundation partners to deliver the Black Advisory HUB (BAH) program across Canada. BAH is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and financial institutions. With an investment of up to $401 million over four years, it will help Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses and succeed now and in the future.
The Black Advisory Hub is launching its website on
October 2nd, 2021!
Check out the link at: blackadvisoryhub.ca Powered by Casa Foundation https://casafoundation.ca/august-2021-casa-foundation-launches-bah-program/
The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) shares research and resources on women entrepreneurs in Canada. Made up of 10 regional hubs, WEKH operates in both official languages and includes a network of over 250 organizations, reaching more than 100,000 women entrepreneurs. WEKH is a part of the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy that aims to increase women entrepreneurs’ access to financing, talent, networks and expertise. Using a methodology developed by the Boston Consulting Group and the Cherie Blair Foundation (2019), it is estimated that closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship in Canada could add $41-$81 billion to Canada’s GDP
h c t i P s r e t s a M 1 2 0 2 Pitch Masters 2021 will take place on Oct 1st during the Friends of Africa Summit. Pitch Masters series provides opportunities for partnerships and growth for freelancers, entrepreneurs and small to medium businesses.
Pitch Masters' participants
have a chance to win: 1st prize of 4000$ 2nd prize of 2500$ 3rd prize of 1000$
Powered by Casa Foundation. Visit https://casafoundation.ca/programs/pitch-masters/ for more information
Pitch Masters - Contestants
Zoolo Property Solutions ltd. by Elvis Visiontif by Chun Yu Leighnibor Academy by Leighton KECOMA by Sandrine
Yuko AI inc. by Jean Felicheeta Artistry by Felicita Totally African Sho p by Bob Angel Cart Electron ics Plus Inc. by Dahlia Joc k Onl MVM TS ine by U Fitn ess go &L oto ya
Pitch Masters - Judges Prof Wendy Cukier — Professor of Entrepreneurship, Founder Diversity Institute, Ryerson University Dr. Nancy Adossi — Professor of Political Sciemce, University of Houston Idas Levato — Founder, WERK TO Cheryl Bedard — Founder, Bedard Associaties Julia Macleod — RBC Royal Bank/RBC Ventures (Observer)
Showcase your business at FOA's Marketplace Network with other businesses
Marketplace will be held on Day 2
Thanks to our sponsors
Casa Foundation
FOA Planning Team Dr. Olutoyin Oyelade
Monika Singh
Uwadinisu Vidhya Jayakumar Onyenokwe
Jacqueline Kiwanuka
Imanzi Kayitare
Oyindamola Anjie Isaac Oyelade
Phadia Joseph
Barbara Palmer
Bithja Tiendrebeogo
Monia Mugabekazi
Casa Foundation for International Development is a Canadian not-for-profit founded by Dr. Olutoyin Oyelade in 2011 to advance women, youths, and emerging leaders through economic, entrepreneurship, and business development initiatives. The Foundation offers support to sectors in education, health, and infrastructure. Its social impact programs and initiatives are executed through the trifold approach of Partnership, Sponsorship, and Mentorship. The foundation fulfils its mandates and objectives through various programs and initiatives, including Casa Foundation’s The Friends of Africa Economic Development Conference. This conference gives leaders across various verticals the opportunity to expand their businesses, play an active role in contributing to economic development of the community and develop a new crop of entrepreneurs who will build a more sustainable private sector. In 2020, the conference reached 5000 participants virtually. Casa Foundation is one of the 30 organizations approved by the Government of Canada to manage the Government’s Black Entrepreneurship National Ecosystem Fund (BENEF), a $100m Fund to support the development of Black businesses in Canada.
Thank you for joining us at Friends of Africa 2021