Canada is intensifying efforts to expand commercial engagement with Nigeria ahead of a major business conference in Lagos later this month, highlighting the growing importance of Africa’s largest economy to Canada’s trade diversification strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preparations are underway for the 6th Canada\u2013Africa Business Conference, scheduled to take place in Lagos on June 24 and 25, with dozens of Canadian companies expected to participate in discussions around trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, energy, agriculture, and financial services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conference gained additional momentum following a recent visit to Nigeria by Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, Randeep Sarai, who travelled to the country from May 21 to May 22. During the visit, Sarai highlighted the upcoming conference as an important platform for strengthening commercial partnerships between Canada and Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event, organized by the Canada\u2013Africa Chamber of Business, is expected to bring together business executives, investors, government representatives, development institutions, and financial sector leaders from both countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, described Nigeria as a strategically important market for Canadian businesses as the country seeks to expand trade relationships beyond its traditional partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Nigeria is Canada’s second-largest merchandise trading partner in Africa and represents an important market as we look to double our non-U.S. exports by 2035,” Sidhu said in a statement released ahead of the conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister added that stronger partnerships in sectors such as financial services, infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture, and clean technology could help drive economic growth and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conference comes at a time when Canada is seeking to diversify export markets and reduce its dependence on the United States, its largest trading partner. African markets have increasingly attracted attention from policymakers and investors due to their growing populations, expanding urban centres, and rising demand for infrastructure and technology solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, is expected to play a central role in those efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lagos, where the conference will be held, serves as Nigeria’s commercial capital and hosts many of the country’s largest financial institutions, multinational corporations, technology companies, and industrial firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garreth Bloor, President of the Canada\u2013Africa Chamber of Business, said the conference is designed to create practical opportunities for businesses looking to expand operations, secure financing, and develop long-term partnerships across African markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also acknowledged the role of private-sector partners supporting the event, including Zenith Bank Plc, which is serving as the conference’s headline sponsor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I wish to thank Zenith Bank Plc for taking the lead in accelerating Canada\u2013Africa trade and investment as a financial institution of choice for Canadian companies across the continent, as we build the Canada\u2013Africa growth story together in this important next chapter of global growth,” Bloor said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zenith Bank’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dame Adaora Umeoji, said the conference would provide an important platform for strengthening business relationships between Canadian and Nigerian companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“As one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, we are committed to supporting Canadian companies seeking to engage with Nigeria and the broader continent while advancing practical partnerships that contribute to shared growth, innovation, and sustainable prosperity,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among other corporate participants is GardaWorld Security Africa, a Canadian-rooted security and risk management company with operations across multiple African countries. The company said the conference presents an opportunity to showcase both its Nigerian operations and the broader business opportunities available across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Canadian companies, the conference offers direct access to one of Africa’s most important business markets. For Nigeria, it provides another opportunity to attract foreign investment, deepen trade relationships, and position itself as a gateway for international businesses seeking opportunities across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With attendance expected from senior business leaders, investors, policymakers, and development partners, the conference is set to become one of the most significant Canada\u2013Africa business gatherings of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As global companies increasingly look beyond traditional markets for growth opportunities, both Canada and Nigeria appear eager to strengthen economic ties and explore new avenues for long-term commercial cooperation.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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