Canada has launched a new initiative aimed at supporting women and youth entrepreneurs in the northern regions of Nigeria. The Resilient and Inclusive Agri-Food Systems Empowering Women and Youth (RISE) project was unveiled by Canada’s Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, in a statement from the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.
The RISE project will provide direct assistance to approximately 450 women- and youth-led agribusinesses and 250 smallholder farmer cooperatives in Bauchi, Kano, and Kaduna states. The initiative is designed to foster inclusive economic growth, improve resilience, and create 8,000 jobs. With a budget exceeding 20.2 billion naira (Can$19.2 million), the project will support smallholder farmers by improving productivity and climate resilience, as well as enhancing the business performance of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises led by women and youth.
Implemented by the Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada (MEDA) alongside local Nigerian partners, the five-year project is a key component of Canada’s Africa Strategy, which seeks to enhance economic cooperation, promote sustainable development, and address challenges such as climate change and security in the region.
Hussen emphasized that empowering women and youth in Nigeria’s agri-food sectors will help foster sustainable economic growth and improve food security. “Through projects like this, we are investing in the collective economic prosperity of Canada and Africa, which contributes to global peace and security,” he stated.
Governors of the affected states have expressed support for the initiative. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed pointed out that the RISE project addresses the barriers women and youth face in accessing resources and markets, empowering them to lead their communities toward economic recovery. Similarly, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State highlighted how the project addresses inequalities that hinder women’s and youth’s progress in the agricultural sector.
In Kano State, Governor Abba Yusuf stressed the importance of equipping women and youth with climate-smart technology to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as flooding and desertification, and improve the region’s agricultural development.
This initiative adds to Canada’s long-standing commitment to Nigeria, having invested over Can$345 million in the country over the past five years, with a focus on health, education, and humanitarian aid.
