Lagos: 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 this announcement at a reception organized in his honor by the Canadian Deputy High Commission on Friday night.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sarai outlined that the initiatives are aimed at strengthening health systems, expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs and small businesses, advancing climate resilience, and deepening cooperation in governance. He added that the initiatives would also focus on strengthening digital resilience and access to justice. “Together they will help to build more inclusive and resilient institutions and economies across the region,” he said.
The secretary of state further announced that the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business would organize 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, emphasizing that Canada’s engagement in Nigeria is part of a broader vision for Canada’s relationship with Africa.
Sarai highlighted that this vision is grounded in the understanding that the next chapter of global growth will be shaped as much in Lagos, Nairobi, and Accra as in London, New York, and Toronto. “The center of gravity of the global economy is shifting, and Canada is ready to help to shape that future together,” he stated.
During his first visit to Nigeria, Sarai noted the strong impression left by the ‘warmth and hospitality’ of the Nigerian people. He emphasized that Canada’s priorities in Africa focus on partnership, trade, and mutual growth, with Nigeria being central to this vision. “With over three billion dollars in bilateral trade last year and plenty of opportunities for growth, Nigeria stands as Canada’s second-largest trading partner in Africa,” Sarai noted.
He went on to highlight that Nigeria’s relationship with Canada extends beyond trade, with thousands of Nigerians studying or living in Canada. “That friendship is really deep, and that makes Nigeria a strategic gateway for Canadian businesses and a natural partner,” he said.
Sarai also pointed out that Nigeria’s priorities align closely with areas where Canada’s expertise is robust, such as infrastructure, agriculture, clean energy, health, digital innovation, and mining. However, he stressed that in a more uncertain world, expertise alone is not enough, and countries are looking for reliable partners. “That kind of partnership is what Canada wants and sees in Nigeria,” Sarai stated.
He added that Canada recognizes sustainable economic growth depends on solid foundations, which include access to financing, a skilled and healthy workforce, transparent institutions, climate resilience, and more opportunities for women and youth to achieve their full potential.
Sarai expressed satisfaction with Canada’s longstanding international partnership with Nigeria, which has supported small businesses, strengthened local governance and health systems, expanded opportunities for women and youth, built climate resilience, and improved skills training. “These are the kind of partnerships that Canada is here to help to build, and in this new era of development, the challenges require all of us – development finance institutions, multinationals, and the private sector,” he said.
Furthermore, Sarai emphasized that competitiveness is based not just on production but also on the strength of institutions, infrastructure, and partnerships. He urged for the use of Artificial Intelligence within a healthy framework to enhance lives rather than replace them.
The Coordinator of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, Mr. Toye Abioye, announced that the business conference would take place on June 24, urging for adequate participation from Nigeria’s business community and its Canadian counterpart.