The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), has concluded a visit to the United Kingdom and Nigeria, from May 18 to 22, 2026, to reinforce Canada's commitment to modernizing development partnerships, strengthening collaboration with key allies and advancing inclusive economic opportunities through deeper engagement with African partners.
In Nigeria, Secretary of State Sarai announced more than $30 million in humanitarian assistance and development projects benefiting Nigeria and countries across West Africa. These initiatives will strengthen health systems, expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs and small businesses, advance climate resilience and clean growth, deepen cooperation on governance and digital resilience, and invest in Canadian expertise and direct technical assistance to the Nigerian government to strengthen access to justice.
Secretary of State Sarai also highlighted the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference, taking place June 24 and 25, 2026, in Lagos. This flagship conference, led by the Toronto-based Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, will convene senior decision-makers from across Canada and Nigeria to unlock new opportunities in trade, investment and large-scale project delivery across the continent. He also hosted a trade and development reception with Canadian and Nigerian partners, highlighting opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as clean energy, infrastructure and agri-food.
During his visit, Secretary of State Sarai engaged federal and state leaders, development partners and private sector actors to advance shared priorities at the intersection of development and economic growth. In Abuja and Lagos, Secretary of State Sarai visited health, education and innovation initiatives to reinforce Canada-Nigeria relations and highlight Canada's support for health care, women's leadership, youth skills development and locally driven innovation.
Secretary of State Sarai also participated in the Global Partnerships Conference in London, United Kingdon, a high‑level international conference on the future of development cooperation. He underscored Canada's vision for the future of development and the importance of modernizing practical reforms to keep pace with an evolving global landscape. He also reinforced building resilient systems through strong global partnerships, private sector engagement, economic collaboration and local leadership. He engaged with government ministers, representatives from international organizations and civil society leaders, reaffirming Canada's commitment to building an inclusive and prosperous future for everyone.
On the margins of the Global Partnerships Conference, Secretary of State Sarai welcomed Germany's new multi‑million‑euro partnership with the Equality Fund which will expand the fund's capacity to support local women's rights organizations and gender equality movements around the world. This milestone builds on Canada's founding investment to the fund and reflects a shared commitment to inclusive, innovative and sustainable development partnerships.
Throughout the visit, Secretary of State Sarai reaffirmed Canada's commitment to strengthening international cooperation, advancing gender equality and promoting inclusive economic growth, supported by closer alignment between development and commercial engagement.
