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Secretary of State Randeep Sarai announces Canada-Nigeria Business Conference in Lagos as bilateral trade hits $3 billion.
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, Canada, Mr. Randeep Sarai, made the announcement at a reception organised in his honour by the Canadian Deputy High Commission on Friday night in Lagos.
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Sarai said the initiatives would strengthen health systems, expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs and small businesses, advance climate resilience, and deepen cooperation in governance. He added that the initiatives would also strengthen digital resilience and access to justice.
“Together they will help to build more inclusive and resilient institutions and economies across the region,” he said.
Canada-Nigeria Business Conference Set for June
The Secretary of State 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 the conference to engage with Nigeria’s private and public sectors,” he said.
The Coordinator of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, Mr. Toye Abioye, confirmed that the business conference would take place on June 24. Abioye urged adequate participation from Nigeria’s business community and its Canadian counterpart.
A Strategic Vision for Canada-Africa Relations
Sarai said Canada’s engagement in Nigeria reflected a broader vision for Canada’s relationship with Africa—grounded in the understanding that the next chapter of global growth would be shaped as much in Lagos, Nairobi, and Accra as in London, New York, and Toronto.
“The centre of gravity of the global economy is shifting, and Canada is ready to help shape that future together,” he said.
Sarai, who was visiting Nigeria for the first time, said he had already formed a strong impression of the country, particularly the “warmth and hospitality” of its people.
Nigeria: Canada’s Second Largest Trading Partner in Africa
Sarai said Canada’s priorities in Africa lie in partnership, trade, and mutual growth.
“Central to that is Nigeria. With over $3 billion in bilateral trade last year and plenty of opportunities for growth, Nigeria stands as Canada’s second largest trading partner in Africa,” Sarai said.
He said Nigeria’s relationship with Canada was deeper than trade, as thousands of Nigerians study or live in Canada.
“That friendship is really deep, and that makes Nigeria a strategic gateway for Canadian businesses and a natural partner,” he said.
Aligning Expertise with Nigeria’s Priorities
Sarai also noted that Nigeria’s priorities align closely with areas where Canada’s expertise is deep—infrastructure, agriculture, clean energy, health, digital innovation, and mining.
“However, in a more uncertain world, expertise is only half the equation. 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,” Sarai said.
Strong Foundations for Sustainable Growth
Sarai added that Canada understands that sustainable economic growth depends on strong foundations.
“That means access to financing, a skilled and healthy workforce, transparent institutions, climate resilience, and more opportunities for women and youth to achieve their full potential.”
He expressed satisfaction that Canada’s longstanding international partnership with Nigeria has continued to help support small businesses, strengthen local governance and health systems, expand opportunities for women and youth, build climate resilience, and improve skills training.
“These are the kind of partnerships that Canada is here to help build, and in this new era of development, the challenges require all of us—development finance institutions, multinationals, and the private sector,” he said.
Sarai said competitiveness depends not just on what countries produce, but on the strength of their institutions, infrastructure, and partnerships.
AI for Good: A Healthy Framework
Sarai also urged that artificial intelligence should be deployed within a healthy framework to make lives better—not replace them.
