Canada adopted its first-ever global Africa Strategy: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity and Security in March 2025. The Strategy sets out a long-term vision to deepen Canada’s engagement with Africa towards reducing poverty, empowering youth, supporting economic development, advancing climate adaptation, providing humanitarian assistance in times of crisis, addressing the root causes of conflict, and supporting sustainable development and youth employment.
The BCDI 2030 program is proud to contribute to the ambitious and forward-looking goals of Canada’s Africa Strategy. Funded by Global Affairs Canada, this eight-year program supports partnerships between Canadian higher education institutions and international partners to advance education, promote inclusivity, improve employability and strengthen the rights and opportunities of women and girls across 25 African countries and Haiti.
By 2030, more than 4,350 BCDI 2030 Scholars and learners will have completed training programs in Canada or in Africa, strengthening their skills, advancing their careers and contributing to the social and economic development of their home countries. A core focus of the program is the development and delivery of country-specific, labour market–relevant technical and vocational education and training programs, with integrated pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. These investments respond directly to the Strategy’s emphasis on youth employment, skills development and sustainable economic growth.
BCDI 2030-funded projects support many of the Strategy’s priority areas, including health, energy, agri-food systems, climate action, the green and blue economy, cybersecurity. The program strengthens institutional capacity, advances applied research and ensures that training and innovation are closely aligned with countries’ unique labour market and community needs.
By strengthening skills development, fostering innovation and expanding access to quality education and employment pathways, BCDI 2030 helps translate the Africa Strategy’s vision into concrete, measurable outcomes. Together, Canada and Africa are building a partnership grounded in mutual respect, shared opportunity and a collective commitment to a more prosperous, secure and equitable future. The BCDI 2030 program is proud to help advance these goals.
