Pan-Africa Program
These women in Côte d’Ivoire weigh the crops
they have harvested. The Pan-Africa Program
supports agricultural development, economic
growth and sustainable use of natural resources.
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Canada’s Commitment
Looking Ahead
Some development challenges in Africa affect not only individual nations but entire regions. The spread of disease (such as HIV/AIDS) and desertification are only two examples of problems that transcend national borders. To meet such challenges effectively, African countries must work together through regional institutions that can identify and implement practical solutions.
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) supports this movement toward greater African-owned and African-led development. In fact, Canada is the first donor country to establish a program to support such organizations. CIDA's Pan-Africa Program directly supports pan-African organizations that want to develop their organizational structures and capabilities.
Building capacity is a critical step in addressing continental development issues and building multiregional cooperation. Thanks to capacity building, organizations are better equipped to serve their clientele, regardless of the recipients’ age, gender, income level, or ethnicity. The Pan-Africa Program thus aims to build Africa's capacity to take responsibility for key development tools. The Program also aims to promote the emergence and building of a network of African organizations able to address and resolve multiregional or pan-African issues.
Why a Pan-African approach?
To better enable Africans from several countries to join forces to meet shared challenges
To better control or eradicate prevalent diseases
To make the best possible use of natural resources
To promote peace and stability
To free trade and expand markets in Africa
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This approach ensures pan-African leadership in thinking about challenges to be met, designing solutions, and mobilizing resources and support needed to implement them.
To receive the Pan-Africa Program’s support, these institutions and organizations must meet specific criteria. Among other things, they must propose initiatives that have a multiregional impact and good potential for cooperation among developing countries. The proposed initiatives must reflect the areas and themes that are priorities for CIDA and Africa Branch. They must promote gender equality, integrate concerns about environmental sustainability, and encourage capacity building. They must show good operational capacity to provide services. They must also ensure transparent, quality management.
 Canada’s Commitment
Nigerians and Canadians share their ideas about
implementing a project. CIDA's Pan-Africa Program
encourages African institutions to develop their
own organizational structures and capabilities.
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CIDA's Pan-Africa Program gives priority to efforts to reach and effectively implement international conventions. These conventions, or agreements, can help to identify solutions to Africa’s problems. They can also help to achieve development goals. These goals include reducing poverty, increasing access to education and health care, and building the capacity of pan-African organizations. Through the Pan-Africa Program, CIDA works with organizations such as the African Union (AU), the African Capacity Building Foundation, and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa. As reforms are made, these organizations gain easier access to CIDA’s support. For example, after the AU successfully reformed its organization, CIDA decided to contribute to the AU Peace Fund. This fund supports conflict management and resolution activities in Africa.
Looking Ahead
Sustainable development solutions for Africa must come from Africans and African organizations. The Pan-Africa Program supports this philosophy by proposing a unique model for development. The Program will continue to cooperate with African organizations, to help Africans to achieve their development objectives, and to remove obstacles to reducing poverty and establishing peace and security in Africa. The Program also aims to maintain a stable and effective partnership with these pan-African institutions and organizations, which contribute to international initiatives onissues related to the major challenges currently Africa faces.
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