Canada's strong relationship with African countries is built on deep people-to-people connections, expanding trade and investment and a shared commitment to peace, security and human rights.
Building on this foundation-and guided by Canada's Africa Strategy- the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), recently concluded a visit to Ethiopia and Tanzania, from July 17 to 23, 2025. He also participated in the G20 Development Working Group Ministerial Meeting, which was held on July 24 and 25 in South Africa.
During his visit to Ethiopia and Tanzania, Secretary of State Sarai announced $25 million to support Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and engaged in site visits and strategic dialogues focused on education, health, economic empowerment, gender equality and climate resilience.
By supporting skills development and strengthening human capital, Canada is contributing to a more skilled workforce that can drive economic growth and foster a more inclusive and enabling business environment across East Africa.
This new funding will support youths-particularly young women-through skills development and TVET:
- BLOOM Africa is a $20-million project in partnership with World Vision Canada. This project aims to improve the economic empowerment of 25,200 marginalized youths-including 15,120 adolescent girls and young women-in Rwanda, Somalia and Tanzania by providing TVET.
- Increasing Economic Opportunities for Youth in Uganda and Tanzania is a $5-million project in partnership with FINCA Canada. This project aims to increase economic opportunities for youths through skills development, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship and will reach 41,000 young people in Tanzania and Uganda, with a particular focus on marginalized young women.
Together, these projects will benefit more than 66,000 young people across Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda, helping them build sustainable livelihoods in the green and digital economies.
At the G20 development ministers' meeting in Skukuza, South Africa, Secretary of State Sarai represented Canada in high-level discussions on global development priorities, including curbing illicit financial flows and strengthening social protection systems.
