On May 26, a group of ONE Campaign Canada activists walked into Parliament Hill carrying a simple message: Africa belongs in Canada’s conversation about trade diversification, economic growth, innovation, and global partnership.
The day marked our Canada’s first national activist day on Parliament Hill, but what stood out most was not simply the number of meetings held or the logistics behind organizing them. It was the opportunity to create space for meaningful conversations about how Canadians understand Africa and Canada’s relationship with the continent.
The journey began on Africa Day itself. For context, Africa Day is celebrated every year on May 25 to mark the founding of the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union) in 1963. This year, more than 25 of our global activists from across the country gathered for a day of training in Ottawa designed to prepare them for conversations with elected officials and their staff.
The following morning, advocates met with Members of Parliament and their offices across Parliament Hill. The conversations covered a wide range of topics, from Canada’s evolving relationship with African countries to opportunities for trade, investment, innovation, and mutual partnership.
What struck me most was not resistance or skepticism. It was curiosity.
Parliamentarians and their staff wanted to better understand the opportunities that stronger Canada-Africa relationships could create for both sides. There was genuine interest in moving beyond familiar narratives and exploring a more complete picture of a continent that is home to over 1.4 billion people and some of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Those conversations reinforced something I have long believed: the way we frame Africa matters.
Beyond Africa Day
Changing the narrative about Africa cannot be confined to a single day. Africa Day provides an important moment of visibility and reflection. It creates an opportunity to celebrate the continent’s history, cultures, achievements, and contributions. But meaningful narrative change requires more than an annual observance.
It requires sustained engagement and ongoing conversations that challenge outdated assumptions and create room for a more balanced understanding of Africa’s current realities and opportunities.
Canada Is My Home. Africa Is My Roots.
For me, these conversations carried both professional and personal significance.
Canada is my home. Africa is my roots.
As someone of African heritage whose career has spanned government relations, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and strategy, I have spent much of my professional life helping organizations navigate complex conversations, build relationships, and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Too often, conversations about Africa focus exclusively on challenges. Those challenges are real and deserve attention. But they represent only part of the story.
Africa is also home to dynamic entrepreneurs, rapidly growing markets, and innovative technology ecosystems that will help shape the global economy in the decades ahead.
That is why the discussions during Africa Day week were so encouraging.
A Milestone Worth Celebrating
As I was reflecting on Africa Day week, Parliament Hill delivered another meaningful milestone.
On June 2, the Senate of Canada unanimously adopted a motion officially recognizing May 25 as World Africa Day in Canada. This recognition is significant because it reflects a growing awareness of Africa’s importance to Canada’s future and acknowledges the contributions that people of African descent continue to make to Canadian society.
What Comes Next
The conversations that took place during Africa Day week reinforced something I have long believed: Canada and Africa have much to gain from deeper understanding, stronger relationships, and continued engagement.
Changing narratives takes time and it requires people willing to learn, listen, and engage.
Most importantly, it requires continuing the conversation long after Africa Day has passed.
Because Africa’s story deserves more than a single day.
And Canada’s conversation about Africa should not end on May 25.
If you want to know more about what ONE is doing to advance the narrative change on Africa, I invite you to join our community of advocates.
