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 investors, allocating capital to Africa is no longer optional; it is a compelling and increasingly unavoidable opportunity. Real progress, however, will require more than ambition; it demands scale, speed, and strong partnerships. Private capital, especially long-term financing, must play a decisive role. Institutional investors, private equity, venture capital, and other sources of long-term capital will be critical. To harness these opportunities and mobilize capital at scale, the Spring 2026 Business & Policy Forum convenes members, stakeholders, highly accomplished business leaders, senior executives, and distinguished experts who operate at the highest levels to share actionable insights.
Speaker details are available here.
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.
Blue finance and ocean innovation present a strategic opportunity to deepen economic cooperation between Canada and Africa while advancing sustainable development goals. Canada, with the world’s longest coastline and globally recognized expertise in ocean science, technology, and governance, is well positioned to partner with African nations endowed with vast and underutilized marine resources. Africa’s coastal economies are entering a period of rapid transformation, driven by demographic growth, urbanization, a rising middle class, and accelerating digital adoption. Canadian innovation can align with Africa’s development priorities to catalyze scalable, bankable projects. By leveraging complementary strengths, Canada and Africa can co-develop a sustainable blue economy.
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 fireside chat offers a candid and engaging platform for meaningful dialogue, enabling members and stakeholders to gain deeper insight into Africa’s emergence as a significant economic and geopolitical force. Real-time discussions often reveal market shifts, policy developments, and opportunities that may not yet be widely recognized. The conversation underscores the continent’s immense potential, fosters cross-border partnerships, and creates space for knowledge exchange and the exploration of new opportunities. It also serves as a catalyst for strategic collaborations and initiatives that align with the ambition and dynamism of Africa’s evolving economic landscape and its global partners.
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.