The 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference is scheduled to take place in Lagos on June 24 and 25, 2026, as Canada intensifies efforts to deepen trade and investment ties with Nigeria and the wider continent.
Led by the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, the conference will bring together senior government officials, investors, institutional partners and private-sector leaders from across Canada and Africa to advance opportunities in trade, investment, financing, infrastructure, retail expansion, technology and energy. Dozens of Canadian companies are expected to participate.
The announcement follows a high-level visit to Nigeria by Canadian Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai, who was in the country from May 21 to 22.
Sarai said that “the centre of gravity of the global economy is shifting, and Canada is ready to help shape that future together.”
He added: “We look forward to bringing Canadian companies to the conference and engaging with Nigeria’s private and public sectors. Canada’s engagement in Nigeria reflects a broader vision for our relationship with Africa — one grounded in the understanding that the next chapter of global growth is being shaped as much in Lagos, Nairobi, and Accra as in London, New York, and Toronto.”
Garreth Bloor, President of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, said the Secretary of State’s recognition of the conference during his visit reinforces the role of private-sector partners. “I wish to thank Zenith Bank Plc for taking the lead in accelerating Canada–Africa trade and investment as a financial institution of choice for Canadian companies across the continent, as we build the Canada–Africa growth story together in this important next chapter of global growth,” Bloor said.
Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, said Nigeria is Canada’s second-largest merchandise trading partner in Africa and an important market as Canada looks to double its non-US exports by 2035. “I’m pleased to see so many Canadian businesses take part in the upcoming Canada-Africa Business Conference in Lagos,” he said.
“By fostering increased Canada-Nigeria partnerships in financial services, infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture and clean technologies, we are supporting trade diversification, creating well-paying jobs and driving sustainable economic growth in Canada and across the African continent,” Sidhu added.
Dr Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, said the bank is proud to serve as headline sponsor of the conference. “It is an important platform for deepening trade and investment between Canada and Nigeria. As one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, we are committed to supporting Canadian companies seeking to engage with Nigeria and the broader continent, while advancing practical partnerships that contribute to shared growth, innovation and sustainable prosperity,” she said.
