Foreign Affairs committee  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.

Foreign Affairs committee  Go ahead, Mr. Côté.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would say that, given Africa's significant population growth, the primary objective should be to figure out how to achieve rapid but inclusive growth so lots of people can benefit from that growth in a sustainable way. SMEs now make up 80% of Africa's economy, but access to financing and business support services is lacking.

Foreign Affairs committee  I'd like to highlight the possibility of making greater use of Canadian organizations to deliver aid. Currently, grants are awarded mainly to UN agencies, as it is a very easy process for Global Affairs Canada. Conversely, entering into contribution agreements with Canadian organizations is a slow and complicated process.

Foreign Affairs committee  I can check and get back to you, but I believe a commitment was made more than 40 or 50 years ago. As several people have pointed out today and at other committee meetings that I've watched, there is currently an opportunity for Canada to have a greater influence going forward, particularly in West Africa.

Foreign Affairs committee  As I'm sure you know, Africa has ecosystem resources that contribute to global biodiversity, even more so than the Amazon. So there's a massive amount of capital in Africa that's very much at risk. It's an essential asset for Africa and for humanity. It's being put at risk in particular by rapid population growth, which means people will need to consume a lot more agri-food products, and by declining poverty, which will also lead to more consumption.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members of the committee, it is an honour to appear before you today on behalf of the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation, or CECI. CECI has been a player in Canada-Africa co-operation for over 65 years. It is active in 10 countries in West Africa and Central Africa.