Canada definitely has an advantage in terms of French given its bilingualism and its membership in the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, the OIF.
At the Fondation Paul Gérin‑Lajoie, we work with the OIF on a variety of programs that include educational ones. Keep in mind that French is the second language of most Africans who go to school in French. We are working to ensure a smooth transition between their mother tongue and French, particularly through classes in the students' mother tongue at the early stages. When you start by teaching a child French at a very young age, they often experience some learning loss that is hard to make up afterward.
That said, should Canada position itself a little better? Probably. We have an opportunity right now, because of France's reputation, particularly in West Africa. In addition, Canada is seen as being benevolent in Africa's francophone countries, in general, and in West Africa, in particular.
There's probably an opportunity there.