This year, UpSurgence Initiatives has launched the campaign Business Beyond Borders Canada to promote and advocate for the establishment of more inclusive trade and innovation partnerships.

By using small-scale events, expos and trade missions, Business Beyond Borders Canada is a new initiative that facilitates investments, trade and innovation partnerships between the greater African Diaspora and Canadian cities.

In September, we brought the Ghana High Commissioner of Canada, the Ghanaian Minister of Communication and the Chair of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre together with representatives for Canadian financial institutions and government to explore how Ghana can establish productive partnerships and stronger relationships with Canada’s financial sector and key cities. UpSurgence Initiatives’ Chair, Claudia McKoy hosted a delegation that included:

Ghanaians: Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful—Ministry of Communications & Digitalisation; His Excellency Anselm Sowah, High Commissioner of Ghana to Canada; and, Alex DadeyGhana Investment Promotion Centre, Chairman of Governing Board

Canadians: MP Nathaniel Erskine-SmithStanding Committee on Industry, Science and Technology; former Councillor Stephen Wright—Peterborough Ward 5 Northcrest; Ray WilliamsNational Bank FinancialVice Chairman & Managing DirectorFinancial Markets; Earl DavisBMO Global Asset Management, Managing DirectorHead of Fixed Income and Money Markets; Colin LynchTD Asset Management, Managing Director and Head of Global Real Estate Investments; Ivor Chistopher—Pan African Credit Union, Chair; Sunday OlorunsheyiNigeria’s Pertinence Group, Co-Founder; and, Len Carby—IG Wealth Management, Financial Consultant.

The lunch was then followed by a meeting with Mississauga’s Mayor Bonnie Crombie to explore economic partnerships between the City and Ghana.

Since 2018, our non-profit arm,UpSurgence Initiatives has been dedicated to connecting marginalized communities to Canada’s growing tech economy through partnership-based programs.