By Ayomide Otitoju
Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade, investment and economic cooperation between Canada and Africa as headline sponsor of the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference held on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The conference, organised by the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, brought together a high-level Canadian business delegation comprising 31 companies, alongside senior government officials, investors, policymakers, diplomats and development partners. The event aimed to deepen commercial ties between Canada and Africa and position Nigeria as a strategic entry point for Canadian businesses seeking opportunities across the continent.
The delegation included firms operating in financial services, security, mining and critical minerals, legal and professional services, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, education and clean energy, among them GardaWorld, Dentons, Baywood Group, Element and Trilliant.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Executive Director Akin Ogunranti described the conference as a timely platform for advancing global partnerships amid evolving economic conditions. He said Africa was increasingly positioned to convert its economic potential into tangible prosperity through stronger institutions and strategic collaborations.
Representing the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Babatunde Onigbanjo, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment. He noted that Lagos continues to serve as Nigeria’s commercial hub and a gateway to wider African markets.
The Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Carlos Rojas-Arbulú, said the growing partnership between both countries reflects a new phase of practical and ambitious cooperation built on shared values and mutual interests.
Chair of the Board of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, Paula Caldwell St-Onge, highlighted Nigeria’s rising economic influence, describing its private sector as a key driver of continental and global engagement. She also commended Zenith Bank for its role in supporting the conference.
Discussions at the event focused on strengthening Canada-Africa commercial relations, identifying investment opportunities across key sectors, and advancing the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Participants explored pathways for expanding trade, encouraging technology transfer, and fostering sustainable economic development.
The conference is expected to enhance Nigeria’s appeal as an investment destination for Canadian businesses while reinforcing its position as a strategic hub for continental trade under AfCFTA, with potential gains in job creation, private sector collaboration and long-term economic growth.Copyright TRUSTAFRICA NEWS.
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