Canada-Africa
Inter-Municipal Joint Mission, and Retreat
(CA-IJMR)
STAKEHOLDERS
To be Delivered Upon Arrival
Strong Municipalities. Strategic Partnerships. Shared Prosperity
The Canada-Africa Inter-Municipal Joint Mission and Retreat (CA-IJMR) is envisioned as a high-level, two-day platform for municipal diplomacy, technical exchange, and the advancement of local governance. It aims to gather African municipal leaders, mayors, chairpersons, councilors, local government officials, municipal development agencies, city managers, planners, urban infrastructure experts, and Canadian municipal institutions.
The program is scheduled to take place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, from September 14 to 15, 2026. It will serve as a strategic platform to enhance municipal collaboration between African and Canadian cities. The objectives include promoting local economic development, urban planning cooperation, infrastructure partnerships, climate resilience, innovation, public service reform, and subnational investment.
CA-IJMR is conceived as more than just a conference. It functions as a mission-driven municipal retreat and hands-on learning program that integrates:
- High-level municipal dialogue
- Technical training and capacity development
- Guided city and infrastructure tours
- Investment and partnership matchmaking
- Institutional exchange sessions
- Retreat-style networking and peer learning
- Exposure to Canadian municipal governance systems
This strategic retreat aims to foster enduring partnerships between African and Canadian municipalities. It will help participating African local governments attract more investment, enhance service delivery, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote inclusive local development.
VISION
To create a transformative partnership platform between Canada and Africa that fosters strong, innovative, transparent, resilient, and investment-ready local governments across both regions.
MISSION
To offer African and Canadian municipal leaders a practical, collaborative framework that supports knowledge sharing, institutional partnerships, project development, capacity building, and subnational economic diplomacy.
Objectives
The program aims to:
- Enhance collaboration between African and Canadian municipalities.
- Enhance the technical skills of African local government officials.
- Promote investment opportunities in local government and municipal project pipelines.
- Introduce participants to leading practices in Canadian municipal governance.
- Enable collaborations among municipalities, development agencies, and private investors.
- Promote municipal innovation, digital transformation, and modern public service systems.
- Create frameworks for city twinning, cooperation agreements, and technical partnerships.
- Position participating municipalities to secure access to international finance and development partnerships.
Target Participants
The CA-IJMR will target:
- Mayors
- Deputy Mayors
- Chairpersons of Local Governments and Municipal Councils
- Municipal Commissioners and Administrators
- City Managers and Town Clerks
- Directors of Urban Planning, Works, and Housing
- Municipal Infrastructure Authorities
- Ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
- State Commissioners responsible for local government
- Traditional rulers and local development leaders
- Municipal Associations across Africa
- Development finance institutions
- Urban planning and infrastructure experts
- Waste management, transport, and environmental agencies
- Canadian municipalities and local government institutions
- Chambers of Commerce and private investors
Expected Participation
The program is expected to attract:
- 180–250 African delegates
- 40–60 Canadian municipal and institutional stakeholders
- 15–20 development partners and private sector organizations
- 10–15 facilitators and trainers
Total projected participation: 200–250 delegates.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
At the conclusion of the program, the following are expected:
- Signing agreements for municipal cooperation and twinning.
- Formation of a Canada–Africa Municipal Partnership Network.
- Create at least 20 project concepts for investment and technical support.
- Enhanced understanding of municipal finance, planning, and infrastructure development
- New collaborations with Canadian municipalities, institutions, and service providers
- A practical roadmap for reform and modernization of municipal governments in participating African localities
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The CA-IJMR will be provided in five integrated components:
- High-Level Dialogue Sessions
- Municipal leaders and experts will discuss policies, reforms, and strategic cooperation among municipalities.
- Technical Training Workshops
- Hands-on practical training sessions for municipal officials.
- Guided Technical Tours
- Delegates will tour various institutions and municipal facilities in Ottawa.
- Investment and Partnership Roundtable
- Delegates will engage with Canadian institutions, consultants, and investors.
- Retreat and Networking Sessions
- Casual yet strategic networking aimed at forming long-term partnerships.
TRAINING COURSES
The core learning curriculum for CA-IJMR includes the following training modules.
Course 1: Municipal Leadership, Governance and Strategic Decision-Making
Topics:
- Principles of modern municipal governance
- Ethics, transparency, and accountability
- Political leadership and administrative coordination
- Building trust with citizens
- Managing councils and local institutions
Duration: 3 hours
Course 2: Municipal Revenue Generation and Financial Sustainability
Topics:
- Property tax and internally generated revenue systems
- Local economic taxation frameworks
- Revenue digitization and e-payment systems
- Budget planning and expenditure management
- Financial accountability and reporting
Duration: 3 hours
Course 3: Local Economic Development and Investment Attraction
Topics:
- How municipalities attract domestic and foreign investment
- Building local economic development strategies
- Developing industrial parks, markets, and municipal assets
- Positioning municipalities for investment
- Municipal branding and competitiveness
Duration: 2.5 hours
Course 4: Smart Cities and Digital Municipal Administration
Topics:
- Digital government platforms
- GIS, e-governance, and data-driven planning
- Smart city systems and technology
- Citizen service portals and digital complaint systems
- Municipal digitization roadmap
Duration: 2.5 hours
Course 5: Urban Planning, Housing and Sustainable City Development
Topics:
- Modern land-use planning
- Housing development and affordable housing models
- Zoning, transport, and growth planning
- Urban regeneration and slum upgrading
- Integrated infrastructure planning
Duration: 3 hours
Course 6: Climate Change, Waste Management, and Green Municipalities
Topics:
- Climate adaptation for cities
- Flooding and environmental resilience
- Waste-to-energy and recycling systems
- Water and sanitation management
- Green infrastructure and urban greening
Duration: 2.5 hours
Course 7: Public-Private Partnerships and Infrastructure Financing
Topics:
- Structuring PPP projects
- Municipal infrastructure investment opportunities
- Roads, water, energy, and transport financing
- How to prepare bankable municipal projects
- Working with development finance institutions
Duration: 3 hours
Course 8: Women, Youth, and Inclusive Governance in Municipal Development
Topics:
- Youth participation in local governance
- Women in municipal leadership
- Inclusive planning and social equity
- Community participation and local ownership
Duration: 2 hours
TRAINING CERTIFICATION
All participants will receive:
- Certificate of Participation
- Certificate of Executive Training in Municipal Governance and Development
- Recognition Plaque for Delegation Heads
- Special Recognition for Municipal Excellence and Innovation
FACILITATORS AND TRAINERS
The program should involve a mix of Canadian and African facilitators with extensive practical experience.
PROSPECTIVE CANADIAN INSTITUTIONS AND FACILITATORS
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
- Municipal governance
- Local economic development
- Municipal finance and city partnerships
- Institute on Governance, Ottawa
- Governance reform
- Public administration and accountability
- City of Ottawa Senior Officials
- Municipal administration
- Urban planning
- Smart city systems
- Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)
- Municipal leadership
- Council administration
- Local government best practices
- Canadian Urban Institute
- Urban transformation
- Housing and city resilience
- Universities and Academic Experts
- University of Ottawa
- Carleton University
- Queen’s University School of Policy Studies
- Municipal Infrastructure and PPP Experts
- Infrastructure Ontario
- Engineers Canada
- Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships
PROSPECTIVE AFRICAN FACILITATORS
- Former Governors, Mayors, and Local Government Chairpersons
- Urban planning specialists
- Municipal finance experts
- Local government reform consultants
- Representatives of municipal associations across Africa
GUIDED TECHNICAL TOURS
The guided tours are meant to give delegates practical examples of municipal systems and city administration in Canada.
Tour 1: Ottawa City Hall and Municipal Administration Tour
Focus:
- Municipal council chamber
- Mayor’s office and city management system
- Citizen service centre
- Digital administration and public service delivery
Tour 2: Parliament Hill and Local Government Policy Tour
Focus:
- Overview of Canada’s governance architecture
- Federal-municipal relations
- Legislative framework for municipalities
Tour 3: OC Transpo and Urban Transportation System Tour
Focus:
- Public transport planning
- Bus and rail coordination
- Smart ticketing and transport management
Tour 4: Waste Management and Environmental Facility Tour
Focus:
- Municipal waste management systems
- Recycling operations
- Environmental sustainability measures
Tour 5: Smart City and Innovation Tour
Focus:
- Digital service systems
- Urban data centres
- Smart city technologies
Tour 6: Affordable Housing and Urban Development Tour
Focus:
- Community housing projects
- Urban regeneration systems
- Integrated residential planning
TWO-DAY DRAFT PROGRAMME SCHEDULE
Day One: Monday, September 14, 2026
Morning
- Registration and Welcome Coffee
- Opening Ceremony
- National Anthems and Introductions
- Welcome Address by Canadian Host Municipality
Keynote Address: The Future of Municipal Cooperation between Canada and Africa
Mid-Morning
- Session I: Municipal Leadership and Good Governance
- Session II: Building Investment-Ready Municipalities
Afternoon
- Training Workshop A: Municipal Finance, Audit, Management and Revenue Generation
- Training Workshop B: Smart Cities and Digital Governance
Evening
- Welcome Reception
- Mayor-to-Mayor Networking Session
- Investment and Partnership Mixer
Day Two: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Morning
- Guided Technical Tours
- Afternoon
- Training Workshop C: Urban Planning and Infrastructure Development
- Training Workshop D: Climate Resilience and Green Municipalities
Late Afternoon
- Canada–Africa Municipal Partnership Roundtable
- Closing Session
- Presentation of Communiqué
- Signing of Cooperation Agreements
- Presentation of Certificates
- Closing Remarks
Side Sessions
The CA-IJMR’s side sessions complement the main program by offering targeted learning and networking for specific groups. These include a Women in Municipal Leadership Roundtable on gender inclusion; a Youth and Emerging Leaders Forum to equip young professionals; a City Twinning and Partnership Matchmaking Session to facilitate African-Canadian collaborations; and a Municipal Investment Pitch Session for project proposals to investors. These sessions aim to boost engagement, knowledge exchange, and partnerships.
- Women in Municipal Leadership Roundtable
- Youth and Emerging Leaders Dialogue
- City Twinning and Partnership Matchmaking Session
- Municipal Investment Pitch Session
- One-on-One Consultation Clinics
- Special Closed-Door Session for Mayors and Chairpersons
DELIVERABLES
The CA-IJMR aims to produce key outputs that deliver both immediate effects and long-term advantages to participating municipalities. These include an official Communiqué summarizing agreements and commitments, a Canada–Africa Municipal Partnership Framework for ongoing cooperation, a catalog of municipal investment and infrastructure project ideas ready for funding, a training manual with lessons from workshops, a post-event report with outcomes and feedback, and a shared database of delegates, institutions, and partners to foster continued networking and collaboration.
The program should generate:
- Official CA-IJMR Communiqué
- Canada–Africa Municipal Partnership Framework
- List of prospective city-to-city partnerships
- Municipal investment project catalog
- Training manual and post-event report
- Database of participants and institutions
COST OF PARTICIPATION FOR AFRICAN DELEGATES
Standard Participation Package
Per Delegate: USD$5,550
The package should include:
- Program registration
- Conference materials
- Participation in all sessions and training courses
- Welcome reception and networking events
- Lunch and coffee breaks for two days
- Guided City and Technical tours
- Airport transfers
- Certificate and documentation package
Premium Executive Package
Per Delegate: USD$8,999
Includes:
- All standard package benefits
- Three nights’ hotel accommodation
- VIP airport reception
- Dedicated protocol officer
- Executive networking session
- Reserved front-row seating
Delegation Discount Package
Early-bird offer: 10% off for registrations made before June 30, 2026.
ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL COSTS NOT INCLUDED
Delegates may separately budget for:
- International flight ticket
- Canadian visa and biometrics
- Hotel accommodation if not included
- Travel insurance
- Personal shopping and meals outside the program
Estimated additional personal budget: USD$ 2,500 – 3,500.
LOGISTICS ARCHITECTURE FOR LOCAL MOVEMENT
A comprehensive transportation system should be established for the program.
Airport Arrival
Delegates arriving at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport are to be received by designated protocol officers.
Arrival system:
- Welcome desk at airport arrivals hall
- Signage and branded reception banners
- Dedicated transport coordinator
- Separate VIP and standard transport lanes
- Multilingual support team
Airport Transfer System
- VIP Delegates
- Dedicated executive SUVs or luxury vans
- Meet-and-greet service
- Fast-track luggage handling
Standard Delegates
- Scheduled shuttle buses every 60–90 minutes
- Shared airport-hotel transfer system
- Central pickup points
Local Movement Structure
- Airport to Hotel Transfer
- Hotel to Program Venue Shuttle
- Program Venue to Tour Locations
- Evening Networking and Return Shuttle
- Departure Transfer to Airport
Transportation Fleet Recommendation
For a delegation of 200 plus people:
- 6 executive SUVs
- 5 mini buses
- 6 coaster buses
- 2 standby vehicles
- 1 ambulance or emergency support vehicle
TRANSPORT TIMETABLE
September 13, 2026
- Airport pickups begin
- Hotel check-in support
September 14, 2026
- 7:00 AM–8:00 AM: Hotel to venue shuttle
- 6:00 PM–8:00 PM: Evening networking transport
September 15, 2026
- 8:00 AM–12:00 PM: Tour transportation
- 5:00 PM onward: Airport departure transfers
ACCOMMODATION CATEGORIES
Executive Category
- Five-star downtown hotel
- Suitable for heads of delegation and VIPs
Standard Category
- Four-star business hotel
- Suitable for general participants
Budget Category
A three-star hotel near the venue and transportation options
VISA AND TRAVEL SUPPORT
The program secretariat will supply the following once participation is confirmed:
- Official invitation letters
- Visa support letters
- Hotel confirmation support
- Airport reception details
- Travel advisory note
- Delegate handbook
SPONSORSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The CA-IJMR offers a platform for strategic sponsorship and partnerships, giving private companies, development agencies, and stakeholders valuable visibility to support municipal transformation, economic progress, and international collaboration. Sponsors gain brand exposure during sessions, workshops, tours, and networking events, positioning themselves as vital contributors to sustainable urban growth, investment, and governance. Tiered sponsorship options include Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Institutional levels, providing flexible involvement from keynote branding to participation in sector-specific sessions, investment roundtables, and municipal deal-making.
Potential partners may include:
- Canadian municipalities
- African local government associations
- Development agencies
- Chambers of commerce
- Infrastructure firms
- Banks and financial institutions
- Technology companies
Sponsorship categories:
- Platinum Partner
- Gold Partner
- Silver Partner
- Institutional Partner
FORGING TRANSFORMATIVE MUNICIPAL PARTNERSHIPS
The Canada-Africa Inter-Municipal Joint Mission and Retreat provides a unique, forward-looking platform to strengthen cooperation between local governments in Africa and Canada. As cities and municipalities increasingly play vital roles in development, job creation, infrastructure, housing, environmental protection, and local economic growth, the need for stronger municipal institutions and international collaboration has never been more essential.
By combining dialogue, technical training, practical tours, institutional networking, and partnership development, the CA-IJMR will equip participating municipalities with the tools, relationships, and confidence needed to transform their communities. It aims to become one of Canada’s most influential Canada–Africa local government platforms, generating lasting value for municipalities and establishing local governments as key drivers of sustainable development, investment, innovation, and inclusive prosperity.