Zenith Bank champions Nigeria as gateway for Canada-Africa trade

Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade, investment and economic cooperation between Canada and Africa by serving as the Headline Conference Sponsor of the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The conference, organised by the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, brought together a high-profile Canadian business delegation comprising representatives of 31 companies, alongside senior government officials, business executives, investors, policymakers, diplomats and development partners from both regions.

The event focused on expanding commercial partnerships between Canada and Africa while positioning Nigeria as a strategic gateway for Canadian businesses seeking investment opportunities across the continent.

The Canadian delegation included leading organisations operating in financial services, security, mining and critical minerals, legal and professional services, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, education and clean energy. Participating companies included GardaWorld, Dentons, Baywood Group, Element, Trilliant and several other Canadian firms exploring investment opportunities and strategic collaborations in Nigeria.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, the bank’s Executive Director, Mr. Akin Ogunranti, described the conference as a timely platform for fostering stronger economic partnerships between Canada and Africa amid evolving global economic dynamics.

He noted that deeper collaboration between African and Canadian businesses would unlock new investment opportunities, facilitate knowledge exchange and promote sustainable economic growth across both regions.

Chair of the Board of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, Paula Caldwell St-Onge, underscored Nigeria’s growing influence in Africa’s economic landscape, describing the country’s development as being driven by an increasingly dynamic private sector.

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“Nigeria’s growth is not theoretical. It is already being built by Nigerian entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions, innovators, and companies whose ambition reaches across Africa and around the world,” she said.

She also commended Zenith Bank for its contribution to the success of the conference and its continued role in promoting economic development on the continent.

“Zenith Bank is not only one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, but it also 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 stated.

The conference featured a series of high-level panel discussions focusing on Canada-Africa commercial relations, investment opportunities in priority sectors and strategies for leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African and international trade.

Policymakers, business leaders and industry experts explored practical approaches to strengthening bilateral commercial relationships, encouraging private sector collaboration and accelerating sustainable economic development.

Participants also highlighted opportunities for increased Canadian investment in Nigeria, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure, technology, mining, healthcare, renewable energy and financial services.

The gathering further reinforced Nigeria’s strategic position as a regional business hub and a key entry point for companies seeking to tap into Africa’s expanding market under the African Continental Free Trade Area, in line with the country’s ambition to play a greater role in regional and global commerce.