Zenith Bank champions Canada-Africa Trade at landmark Business Conference

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 on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Organised by the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, the conference brought together a high-powered Canadian business delegation representing 31 companies, alongside senior government officials, business leaders, investors, policymakers, diplomats and development partners. The event focused on deepening commercial ties between Canada and Africa while positioning Nigeria as a strategic gateway for Canadian businesses seeking opportunities across the continent.

The Canadian delegation featured companies and institutions operating in key sectors, including financial services, security, mining and critical minerals, legal and professional services, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, education and clean energy. Among the participating organisations were GardaWorld, Dentons, Baywood Group, Element, Trilliant and several other leading Canadian enterprises exploring investment opportunities and strategic partnerships in Nigeria.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, the bank’s Executive Director, Mr. Akin Ogunranti, described the conference as a timely platform for expanding commercial partnerships between Canada and Africa at a time of changing global economic realities.

He said Africa is well positioned to drive the next phase of global economic growth, noting that the continent now has stronger institutions, improved policy frameworks and strategic partnerships capable of transforming its enormous potential into tangible prosperity.

“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 the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Babatunde Onigbanjo, reiterated the Lagos State Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment and stronger international partnerships.

He also highlighted Lagos’ status as Nigeria’s commercial capital and a gateway to African 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.

Speaking at the conference, Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Carlos Rojas-Arbulú, said the gathering reflected the growing momentum in bilateral 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 stated.

Also speaking, the Chair of the Board of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, Paula Caldwell St-Onge, underscored Nigeria’s rising economic importance.

“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 commended Zenith Bank for its pivotal role in supporting the conference, describing the bank as a symbol of African excellence.

“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 added.

The conference featured high-level panel discussions on Canada-Africa commercial relations, investment opportunities across priority sectors and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Policymakers, business executives and industry experts explored practical strategies for strengthening commercial partnerships and accelerating sustainable economic development.

The gathering is expected to enhance Nigeria’s appeal as a destination for Canadian investment while creating new opportunities for technology transfer, private sector collaboration, job creation and long-term economic growth. It also reinforces Nigeria’s position as a strategic hub for businesses seeking to access opportunities across Africa through the AfCFTA, supporting the country’s ambition to deepen its role in regional and global trade.