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Global Africa + Caribbean Expo Canada 2028
Two regions. One diaspora. One global marketplace.
Trade · Investment · Culture · Music · Community
The big idea
A three-day international marketplace, and a year-round digital community, connecting Africa, the Caribbean, Canada and the global diaspora through commerce, investment, tourism, technology, food, fashion, ideas, live music and the recognition of excellence.
Not another cultural festival: a marketplace with the energy of a major summer celebration, where business, government, culture and community meet under one roof.
Meet for three days. Connect for 365.
Planning targets for the first edition
- 20,000–30,000
- visitors
- 250+
- exhibitors
- 25+
- countries and territories
- 50+
- corporate, institutional and media partners
Three days
Friday
Business & Investment Summit
- Government and diplomatic opening
- B2B matchmaking
- Trade panels
- VIP reception
Saturday
The full Expo
- Country pavilions
- Marketplace and food
- Fashion and tourism showcases
- Technology and innovation
- Africa + Caribbean Live concert
Sunday
Community day
- Culture and family programming
- Final B2B sessions
- Global Excellence Awards
- Closing performances
Zones and pavilions
Nine areas under one roof.
Country PavilionsTrade, investment, tourism, exports and culture, nation by nation
Trade & InvestmentImport and export, investment promotion, finance and logistics
SME & Entrepreneurship MarketplaceAfrican, Caribbean and Canadian founders and growing businesses
Technology & InnovationFintech, AI, digital services, telecoms, e-commerce and startups
Tourism & Destination VillageTourism boards, airlines, hotels and tour operators
Fashion, Beauty & CreativeDesigners, beauty brands, crafts, film and publishing
Taste of Africa & the CaribbeanFood streets, chef demonstrations and regional cuisine
Community & Diaspora HubAssociations, nonprofits, professional groups and newcomers
Media & Creator CentreInterviews, podcasts, live content and press briefings
Saturday night
Africa + Caribbean Live
A headline concert bringing internationally recognized and emerging artists across Afrobeats, Highlife, Amapiano, Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Calypso, Gospel and Francophone African music together with Canadian diaspora talent.
No performers have been announced. Artists and agents can register their interest.
Sunday
Global Excellence Awards
Recognizing the people and organizations building bridges between Africa, the Caribbean, Canada and the wider diaspora, with a transparent nominations process, an independent judging panel and published criteria.
Selected People’s Choice categories are planned to be nominated and voted on here on MyCanadaOnline. Nominations are not open yet.
Who should take part
Exhibitors
- Exporters, importers and distributors
- Food and beverage, fashion and beauty brands
- Technology, fintech, telecoms and digital businesses
- Banks, payment and remittance companies
- Airlines, tourism boards, hotels and travel companies
- Logistics and freight providers
- Universities, colleges and professional bodies
- Real estate, investment and professional services
- Media, entertainment and community organizations
Governments & institutions
- Official country pavilions and investment desks
- Ministerial and diplomatic participation in the summit
- Export and investment promotion sessions
- Tourism destination showcases
- B2B delegations and buyer meetings
- National-day and cultural showcases
- Support for exporters entering the Canadian market
Visitors & buyers
- Canadian consumers and families
- Importers, retailers and investors
- Employers and institutions
- Tourism buyers
- Companies seeking African and Caribbean partners
Partnership opportunities
More than logo placement: partners can own a category and reach audiences before, during and after the Expo.
Presenting Partner
Top naming association across the Expo, summit, digital platform and major media
Banking & Payments Partner
Financial-services zone, SME programming, payments and content
Official Airline Partner
Travel, country delegations, tourism and artist movement
Connectivity Partner
Wi-Fi, digital experience, creator centre and technology zone
Country Pavilion Partner
Branded support for a national or regional pavilion
Africa + Caribbean Live Partner
Concert naming, VIP hospitality and entertainment content
Awards Partner
Gala hospitality and selected category association
Media Partner
Editorial, broadcast, digital and creator amplification
Connected all year on MyCanadaOnline
The Expo is planned as the peak of a year-round community, not the end of a campaign. A visitor who discovers an exhibitor at the Expo can scan a code, follow the organization here, request a meeting and stay connected after the doors close.
Planned for the Expo hub: digital tickets and agendas, exhibitor and pavilion directories, B2B appointment booking, speaker and nominee profiles, People’s Choice voting, live streams and interviews, and year-round offers and opportunities.
Road to summer 2028
- 2026–2027Advisory group, event identity, venue selection, government and partner outreach
- Jan–Feb 2028Venue and dates confirmed; founding partners; pavilion and exhibitor sales open
- Mar–Apr 2028Artist and speaker announcements; community partnerships; awards nominations
- May 2028Public ticketing; B2B matchmaking opens; digital Expo hub goes live
- Summer 2028The three-day launch edition