EXPLORE UPCOMING EVENTS

At a time of profound shifts in the global economy, Africa is emerging as one of the world’s most compelling investment frontiers. Paradoxically, knowledge about business opportunities on the continent is limited in much of the Western world — giving rise to high transaction costs and asset mispricing due to disproportionate weighting of perceived risk. For long-term institutional capital, investing in Africa is no longer optional — it is a compelling and increasingly unavoidable opportunity. But moving the needle takes more than ambition; it will require scale, speed, and partnership. Private capital must play a decisive role. Institutional capital, private equity, venture capital, and other forms of long-term capital will be essential in financing the industries and technologies that underpin sustainable growth.

The global race for critical and strategic minerals has intensified as economies transition toward clean energy, electrification, and advanced technologies. In this context, Canada and Africa emerge not as competitors, but as highly complementary partners with the potential to shape a more secure, sustainable, and diversified global minerals ecosystem. Yet, the pace of collaboration has not matched the scale of opportunity, revealing a growing gap between ambition and action. By aligning capital with policy, and investment with long-term development goals, Canada and African nations can unlock shared prosperity, strengthen supply chain resilience, and lead in the global transition to a low-carbon future.

Lagos stands at the intersection of Africa’s largest consumer market, its most dynamic startup ecosystem, and one of its deepest pools of private capital. As the commercial heartbeat of Nigeria, Lagos offers a rare density of financiers, founders, creatives, and policymakers operating within a fast-scaling economy. ECAN sits not just within this ecosystem; it is fast becoming a part of its connective tissue, curating access across industries and continents. Beyond business, Lagos delivers cultural and experiential depth. As the creative capital of Africa —shaping music, fashion, film, and art across the diaspora — the city offers members immersive experiences that blend deal-making with cultural intelligence.

Date: March 2, 2022

Theme: Inclusive Digital Transformation for Economic Resilience in Africa: A Call to Action

Overview
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented, exogenous shock to the global economy, with major repercussions on production, consumption, and exchange activities.

Date: January 19-20, 2022

Theme: Resource Mobilization and Sub-National Fiscal Autonomy: A Development Finance Perspective.

Overview

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their 169 sub-targets form the core of the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations. The SDGs balance the economic, social, and ecological dimensions of sustainable development, in addition to aligning the twin goals of fighting poverty and achieving sustainable development.

Date: November 23, 2021

Theme: Accelerating Decarbonization of Africa’s Energy System: A Blue Economy Perspective

Overview
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) aims to “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.” Improving access to affordable and clean energy for all, while reducing GHG emissions and the carbon footprint of the energy sector, remains on the front burner of the global energy transition debate.

The ECAN Board Chair’s fireside chat provides a candid and engaging platform for dialogue. This format allows members and stakeholders to gain deeper insight into ECAN’s strategic direction. Africa holds enormous potential as a future economic and geopolitical powerhouse. As a platform dedicated to fostering cross-border partnerships, the fireside chat serves as a space for reflection and exchange. From time to time, strategic collaborations and initiatives that reflect the ambition and potential of Africa’s economic landscape and its partners are activated. Ultimately, the session strengthens collaboration, sparks informed discussion, and ensures that members and stakeholders remain actively connected to the vision and work of the organization.

Theme: The Clean Energy Transition and the COVID Economy: Navigating the SDGs

Overview

The case for the transition towards sustainable energy systems has never been stronger. Global economic rebalancing, environmental concerns, and improvements in energy efficiency due to technological innovations – all combined – continue to drive the gradual decarbonization of the global fuel mix.

Theme: COVID-19, International Private Capital, and Infrastructure-Led Recovery

Overview

Join our panel of experts as they discuss the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for international private capital and infrastructure-led recovery in the African context.

Theme: A Joe Biden Presidency: Implications for US-Africa Trade and Investment Ties

Overview

Join our panel of experts as they discuss the implications of the Biden Presidency for US-Africa trade and investment ties.