Canada-Africa Innovation Festival

Save the date | May 29 - 30, 2026

The Canada-Africa Innovation Festival is a dynamic two-day experience designed to accelerate cross-border collaboration and unlock new opportunities between Canada and the African continent. Building on the momentum of Canada’s renewed commitment to deeper Africa partnerships, CAIF brings together innovators, startup founders, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem builders to move beyond conversation and into action.

If you care about:

Expanding global opportunities
Driving market-creating innovation
Advancing technology export
Empowering youth through digital skills
Economic growth

This event is for you.

Register Now

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What to Expect

Panel Session

Session details

Workshops, retreats, and group sessions designed to spark collaboration, build skills, and fuel fresh thinking.

Check out Day 1 Schedule

Pitch Competition

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Innovation Spotlight

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Vendor Showcase

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Check out Day 2 Schedule

Day 1 - Leaders Dinner

*Invite only

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Preliminary Networking
5:30 PM - 5:40 PM: Welcome Address
5:40 PM - 5:50 PM: Keynote #1
6:00 PM - 6:35 PM: Panel 1 & Panel Q&A
6:35 PM - 6:50 PM: Fireside chat
6:50 PM - 7:25 PM: Panel 2 & Panel Q&A
7:25 PM - 8:30 PM: Dinner & Networking

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Preliminary Networking
5:30 PM - 5:40 PM: Welcome Address
5:40 PM - 5:50 PM: Keynote #1
6:00 PM - 6:35 PM: Panel 1 & Panel Q&A
6:35 PM - 6:50 PM: Fireside chat
6:50 PM - 7:25 PM: Panel 2 & Panel Q&A
7:25 PM - 8:30 PM: Dinner & Networking

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Preliminary Networking
5:30 PM - 5:40 PM: Welcome Address
5:40 PM - 5:50 PM: Keynote #1
6:00 PM - 6:35 PM: Panel 1 & Panel Q&A
6:35 PM - 6:50 PM: Fireside chat
6:50 PM - 7:25 PM: Panel 2 & Panel Q&A
7:25 PM - 8:30 PM: Dinner & Networking

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Preliminary Networking
5:30 PM - 5:40 PM: Welcome Address
5:40 PM - 5:50 PM: Keynote #1
6:00 PM - 6:35 PM: Panel 1 & Panel Q&A
6:35 PM - 6:50 PM: Fireside chat
6:50 PM - 7:25 PM: Panel 2 & Panel Q&A
7:25 PM - 8:30 PM: Dinner & Networking

Day 2

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Breakfast & Early Networking
9:40 AM - 9:47 AM: Keynote #1
9: 48 AM - 10:08 AM: Panel: Enhancing economic corpration (AFCFTA) + Empowering Youth through increased engagement
10:08 AM - 10:20 AM: Panel Q&A
10: 20 AM - 10:27 AM: Keynote #2
10:27 AM - 10: 57 AM: Panel: Remittances diaspora investments
10:57:00 AM - 11:07PM: Panel Q&A

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Pitch Competition 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Award + Picture 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Closing

11:07: AM - 11:15 AM: Mental break portion: either video
11:15 AM - 11:35 AM: Fundrasing Panel (tips)
11:35 AM - 11:45 AM: Panel Q&A
11:45 AM - 12:05 PM: Storytelling Panel (how to get your brand out there/telling the right stories)
12:05 PM - 12:15 PM: Panel Q&A
12:15 PM - 12:30 PM: Fireside Chat: Starting your startup
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM: Game section
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM: Product-Market Fit
1:20 PM - 1:30 PM: Panel Q&A
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Lunch