Zenith Bank is leading the push for Canada-Africa Trade and Investment at 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade, investment and economic cooperation between Canada and Africa by serving as the headline sponsor of the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Organised by the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, the conference brought together senior government officials, business executives, investors, diplomats, development partners and a high-powered Canadian business delegation representing 31 companies to deepen commercial ties and unlock new investment opportunities across Africa.
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The event also reinforced Nigeria’s position as a strategic gateway for Canadian businesses seeking to expand into African markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Canadian delegation included leading organisations across financial services, security, mining and critical minerals, infrastructure, legal services, healthcare, education, clean energy and technology. Companies represented included GardaWorld, Dentons, Baywood Group, Element and Trilliant, among others.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Zenith Bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, the bank’s Executive Director, Mr. Akin Ogunranti, described the conference as a timely platform for fostering stronger commercial partnerships between Canada and Africa amid changing global economic dynamics.
According to him, Africa is well-positioned to drive the next phase of global economic growth, supported by stronger institutions, improved policy frameworks and expanding regional integration.
“The question is not whether Africa is rich in potential. It is whether we can turn that potential into prosperity our people can feel. For the first time, the answer is yes, because of the machinery we are now building,” Ogunranti said.
Representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mr. Babatunde Onigbanjo, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment and international business partnerships.
He noted that Lagos remains Nigeria’s commercial capital and a strategic entry point for investors seeking access to Africa’s rapidly expanding markets.
“Canada brings to the table considerable expertise, capital, innovation, and a strong tradition of institution building. Africa, and indeed Lagos, offer scale. We offer talent, creativity, market opportunities and an increasingly sophisticated business environment. Together, these strengths create a compelling foundation for transformative partnership,” Onigbanjo said.
The Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr. Carlos Rojas-Arbulú, said the conference reflected the growing momentum in commercial relations between both countries.
“The relationship between Canada and Nigeria is not new. It is rooted in diplomacy, trade, education, culture, migration and shared democratic values. But today, I believe we are entering a new chapter: one that is more ambitious, more practical and more human,” he said.
Chair of the Board of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, Paula Caldwell St-Onge, described Nigeria as one of Africa’s fastest-growing investment destinations, driven by entrepreneurship, innovation and a vibrant private sector.
She also commended Zenith Bank for its leadership and support of the conference.
“Zenith Bank is not only one of Africa’s leading financial institutions; it is the capital behind what you see here today, and it represents the skill, ambition, discipline, innovation and excellence that this conference seeks to showcase,” she said.
The conference featured panel discussions on Canada-Africa commercial relations, sector-specific investment opportunities and strategies for maximising the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Participants explored practical approaches to strengthening cross-border trade, encouraging private sector collaboration and accelerating sustainable economic development across the continent.
The conference is expected to boost Nigeria’s attractiveness to Canadian investors while creating new opportunities for technology transfer, infrastructure development, job creation and long-term economic growth.
It also reinforces Nigeria’s ambition to position itself as a leading regional trade hub and preferred destination for international businesses looking to expand across Africa.
