Canada has announced more than $30 million in new support for initiatives in Nigeria and across West Africa.
The Secretary of State for International Development, Mr. Randeep Sarai, made the announcement at a reception organised in his honour by the Canadian Deputy High Commission on Friday night in Lagos.
Sarai said the initiatives would strengthen health systems, expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs and small businesses, advance climate resilience, deepen governance cooperation, and improve digital resilience and access to justice.
“Together, they will help build more inclusive and resilient institutions and economies across the region,” he said.
He also announced that the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business would organise a Canada-Nigeria Business Conference in Lagos in June.
“We look forward to bringing Canadian companies to engage with Nigeria’s private and public sectors,” Sarai added.
He said Canada’s engagement in Nigeria reflects a broader vision for its relationship with Africa, noting that the centre of gravity of the global economy is shifting.
“The next chapter of global growth will be shaped as much in Lagos, Nairobi, and Accra as in London, New York, and Toronto,” he said.
Sarai, on his first visit to Nigeria, praised the warmth and hospitality of its people.
He noted that Canada’s priorities in Africa centre on partnership, trade, and mutual growth, with Nigeria as a key focus.
“With over $3 billion in bilateral trade last year and huge potential for growth, Nigeria remains Canada’s second-largest trading partner in Africa,” Sarai said.
He added that the relationship goes beyond trade, as thousands of Nigerians live and study in Canada.
“Nigeria is a strategic gateway for Canadian businesses and a natural partner,” he stated.
Sarai highlighted that Nigeria’s priorities align closely with Canadian expertise in infrastructure, agriculture, clean energy, health, digital innovation, and mining.
He emphasised that in an uncertain world, reliable partnership matters as much as expertise.
“Countries are looking for partners they can rely on — partners that show up and follow through. That is the kind of partnership Canada wants and sees in Nigeria,” Sarai said.
He noted that sustainable economic growth requires strong foundations, including access to financing, a skilled workforce, transparent institutions, climate resilience, and greater opportunities for women and youth.
The Secretary of State expressed satisfaction with Canada’s longstanding partnership with Nigeria, which has supported small businesses, local governance, health systems, skills training, and opportunities for women and youth.
Sarai urged the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence to improve lives rather than replace them.
The Coordinator of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, Mr. Toye Abioye, said the business conference would hold on June 24 and called for strong participation from both Nigerian and Canadian business communities.
