Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its leadership in driving cross-border economic collaboration 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 high-profile gathering convened a powerful Canadian delegation representing 31 companies, alongside senior government officials, investors, policymakers, diplomats, and business leaders. The conference served as a strategic platform to deepen commercial ties and reinforce Nigeria’s role as a gateway for Canadian investment into Africa.
The Canadian delegation featured major players across key sectors including financial services, security, mining, legal services, infrastructure, technology, healthcare, education, and clean energy. Notable companies in attendance included GardaWorld, Dentons, Baywood Group, Element, and Trilliant—firms actively exploring partnerships and expansion opportunities within Nigeria’s evolving market landscape.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, the Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunranti, described the conference as a defining moment for Canada-Africa economic relations amid shifting global dynamics.
He emphasised Africa’s growing readiness to lead global economic growth, noting that the continent now possesses the institutional frameworks and partnerships needed to transform potential into tangible prosperity.
“The question is no longer whether Africa has potential,” Ogunranti stated. “The real question is whether we can convert that potential into measurable prosperity—and for the first time, the answer is yes.”
Representing Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mr. Babatunde Onigbanjo, reiterated the state’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for foreign investment.
He highlighted Lagos as Nigeria’s economic nerve centre, offering scale, talent, and a rapidly maturing business ecosystem capable of supporting global partnerships.
“Canada brings capital, innovation, and institutional strength, while Lagos offers market scale, creativity, and opportunity. Together, this creates a powerful platform for transformative growth,” he noted.
Also speaking, the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr. Carlos Rojas-Arbulú, described the conference as a signal of renewed momentum in bilateral relations, pointing to a future anchored on stronger, more practical collaboration.
Chair of the Board of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, Paula Caldwell St-Onge, underscored Nigeria’s rising economic influence, crediting local entrepreneurs and institutions for driving real, measurable growth.
She further praised Zenith Bank’s pivotal role in enabling the conference, describing the institution as a symbol of excellence, innovation, and financial strength within Africa’s banking sector.
The conference featured high-level panel sessions focused on trade relations, investment opportunities, and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with stakeholders identifying actionable pathways to accelerate economic development.
With outcomes expected to boost investor confidence, enhance technology transfer, and unlock new private sector opportunities, the event further cements Nigeria’s position as a critical hub for international business expansion into Africa.
Zenith Bank’s strategic involvement not only reinforces its pan-African vision but also highlights its role as a catalyst for global partnerships shaping the future of trade and investment across the continent.
