Canada has announced more than $30 million in new funding support for development initiatives in Nigeria and across West Africa, with a focus on health systems, women-led businesses, climate resilience, governance, and digital inclusion.
Follow us on Google News
The announcement was made by Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, Mr Randeep Sarai, during a reception hosted by the Canadian Deputy High Commission in Lagos on Friday.
Sarai said the new support package would help strengthen institutions and create more economic opportunities across the region, especially for women entrepreneurs and small businesses.
According to him, the initiatives will also support digital resilience and improve access to justice in participating countries.
“Together they will help to build more inclusive and resilient institutions and economies across the region,” Sarai said.
The Canadian official also disclosed that the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business would host a Canada-Nigeria Business Conference in Lagos on June 24 to deepen business engagement between both countries.
“We look forward to bringing Canadian companies to the conference to engage with Nigeria’s private and public sectors,” he said.
Sarai noted that Canada’s growing engagement with Nigeria reflects the country’s broader strategy for Africa, adding that major global economic growth in the coming years would increasingly come from African cities such as Lagos, Nairobi and Accra.
“The centre of gravity of the global economy is shifting, and Canada is ready to help to shape that future together,” he said.
Speaking on trade relations, Sarai said Nigeria remained Canada’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade exceeding $3 billion last year.
He added that the relationship between both countries extended beyond commerce due to the large number of Nigerians living and studying in Canada.
“That friendship is really deep, and that makes Nigeria a strategic gateway for Canadian businesses and a natural partner,” he said.
Sarai identified infrastructure, agriculture, clean energy, healthcare, digital innovation and mining as key sectors where Canada sees strong partnership opportunities with Nigeria.
He also stressed the importance of reliable international partnerships in today’s global economy.
“Countries are looking for partners they can rely on. Partners that show up and follow through. That kind of partnership is what Canada wants and sees in Nigeria,” he said.
The Secretary of State further stated that sustainable economic growth depends on access to finance, skilled labour, strong institutions, climate resilience, and better opportunities for women and young people.
He said Canada’s existing partnership programmes in Nigeria had already supported small businesses, strengthened governance and health systems, expanded opportunities for women and youth, and improved skills development.
Sarai also called for the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), saying the technology should improve lives rather than replace people.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, Mr Toye Abioye, urged Nigerian business leaders and Canadian companies to participate actively in the upcoming conference in Lagos.
