Canada funds Black businesses; recalls N2.6bn boost for Nigerian women
The Canadian government announced a $5.6 million investment to strengthen Black‑owned businesses in Alberta through the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP). The funding, unveiled at the Black to the Future Summit in Edmonton by Minister Eleanor Olszewski, will support three Alberta‑based initiatives: the ACT project led by the Africa Centre with Canadian Imperial Advantage and The Nod Foundation ($2.6 million); the BIPOC Foundation’s Founders Hub ($1.5 million); and the Black Canadian Women in Action Society’s programs for Black women entrepreneurs ($1.5 million). Together the projects aim to create 280 jobs, support 950 businesses, train 720 entrepreneurs and lead to the creation, expansion or sustainability of 302 businesses by March 2030. The article also notes that in 2022 Canada donated N2.6 billion to advance women’s political participation in Nigeria under its Advance Women Political Participation project.
For Nigerians, this signals Canada’s continued commitment to backing Black entrepreneurs and women’s political leadership abroad, highlighting possible avenues for international support or partnership. Nigerian entrepreneurs seeking funding or mentorship could explore whether similar Canadian‑backed programs extend to Africa or contact the Canadian High Commission in Abuja for information on upcoming calls. Those interested in women’s political participation can watch for future Canadian‑funded initiatives in Nigeria.
What you should know: the Alberta funding runs through March 2030 and focuses on business advisory, mentorship, capital readiness, digital training and market access; the earlier Nigerian women’s‑politics donation was a four‑year pledge ending around 2026.