Prime Minister Mark Carney and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa discussed strategies to advance partnerships on shared priorities, including trade, investment, and energy. The conversation on June 27, 2026, emphasized the strong relationship between Canada and South Africa and explored avenues for deeper economic collaboration.

The leaders welcomed the growing cooperation in the agriculture and agrifood sectors. As part of this engagement, a South African delegation is scheduled to visit Saskatchewan in the coming weeks to further bolster ties in this area.

Beyond economic matters, the discussion touched upon the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Both leaders expressed anticipation for the upcoming match between Canada and South Africa, marking the first time both countries have competed in a knockout game at the tournament.

The Prime Minister and the President agreed to maintain close contact to continue their dialogue on these issues.

The Government of Canada announced $5.6 million in funding for three Alberta-based projects designed to support Black entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, and business development services. Announced at the Black to the Future Summit in Edmonton on June 26, 2026, the investment aims to address systemic barriers to financing and networking, thereby strengthening Alberta's economy by helping Black-owned businesses start, grow, and scale.

Project Allocations and Recipients

The funding is distributed among three organizations to deliver targeted support across the province. The Council for the Advancement of African Canadians (Africa Centre), in partnership with Canadian Imperial Advantage and The Nod Foundation, will receive $2.6 million for the "ACT" project. This initiative will provide culturally informed business advisory services, capital readiness assessments, and digital technology adoption training to aspiring and scale-up ready entrepreneurs.

The BIPOC Foundation will utilize $1.5 million to expand its Founders Hub, offering province-wide programming that includes business planning, financial forecasting, and investor readiness training. Additionally, Black Canadian Women in Action Society (BCW in Action) will receive $1.5 million to enhance supports specifically for Black women entrepreneurs, focusing on business development and capacity building.

Expected Outcomes

The initiatives are funded through the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund, which is delivered by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The intake period for this fund is closed, and all projects are scheduled for completion by March 31, 2030.

The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan, emphasized that removing barriers to success for Black entrepreneurs will make Alberta's economy stronger and more competitive. The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), highlighted the government's commitment to ensuring Black entrepreneurs have the necessary tools to create jobs and succeed in Alberta.