The most effective social policy for Africa is, in fact—in the view of African leaders and many—to attract more investment, to create more jobs. The continent is moving from 1.5 billion people to four billion in the next four or five decades. The challenge of the creation of jobs is essential, and there has to be investment in labour-intensive industries. You know there are different industries that have potential in Africa, but among them the agro-based transformation industry is one that not only meets the pressing consumer needs of the continent but also is very labour-intensive and one in which Canadian businesses have skills and value to bring. How you facilitate that is a question, but I have no doubt that this is at the core of the needs of the continent: growth that is inclusive and that's done in a sustainable way.
On May 8th, 2024. See this statement in context.