Canada Unveils Five-Year Initiative to Help 200 Nigerian Businesses Expand Abroad
The Canadian Government has introduced a five-year initiative aimed at helping 200 Nigerian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) strengthen their export capabilities and gain access to international markets.
The programme, known as Trade for Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth (TRISEG), is funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by the Trade Facilitation Office of Canada (TFO Canada).
Launched in Abuja on Thursday, October 8, 2026, the initiative is designed to address challenges preventing Nigerian businesses from competing effectively in the global marketplace. These include limited access to financing, inadequate market intelligence, insufficient digital resources and weak institutional support.
According to the programme’s organisers, approximately 67 per cent of the Nigerian businesses expected to benefit will be owned or led by women and other underrepresented groups.
Initiative to Improve Export Readiness
Speaking at the launch, President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Emeka Obegolu, said the programme would help Nigerian businesses overcome obstacles to international trade and improve their competitiveness.
Obegolu explained that although many local enterprises have the potential to succeed abroad, their growth is often restricted by difficulties accessing finance, international buyers and essential business development resources.
He called for stronger collaboration among SMEs, financial institutions, trade support organisations and international buyers to create more opportunities for Nigerian products and services in foreign markets.
The initiative will also strengthen trade support institutions by improving their capacity to provide inclusive and gender-responsive services to businesses.
In addition, the programme features an SME Climate Resilience Fund, which will provide technical assistance, training, digital resources and investment planning support to help participating businesses adopt sustainable practices and respond to climate-related challenges.
Businesses to Receive Training and Market Support
Executive Director of TFO Canada, Steve Tipman, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to helping Nigerian enterprises prepare for export and identify new commercial opportunities overseas.
Under the programme, participating businesses will receive support in areas such as market research, export development, business coaching, digital strategies and connections with potential buyers in Canada and other international markets.
The initiative is part of a broader programme targeting 3,200 SMEs across 16 developing countries. Of this number, approximately 2,133 businesses are expected to be owned or led by women and other underrepresented groups.
The programme also aims to expand access to online trade information, with its digital platform expected to reach more than 5,550 SME beneficiaries across participating countries.
Other African countries included in the initiative are Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Senegal and Zambia. Participating countries in Asia include Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, while Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru represent Latin America and the Caribbean.
Boosting Nigeria’s Export Potential
The programme is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s export ecosystem by equipping smaller businesses with the knowledge, resources and institutional connections needed to reach foreign customers.
For Nigerian SMEs, improved access to international markets could create opportunities to increase sales, attract investment, expand operations and generate employment.
However, the programme’s overall impact will depend on how effectively participating businesses access the support provided and translate it into sustainable export growth.
Through the TRISEG initiative, Canada and its partners aim to promote more inclusive economic development while helping businesses in participating countries become more resilient, sustainable and competitive in the global economy.
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