Canadian Consulate’s Trade Programme

Nigeria holds vast agricultural potential, yet the country imports over 10 billion US dollars’ worth of food annually. Canadian businesses, especially women-led enterprises, face barriers in understanding the Nigerian agricultural landscape, from regulatory frameworks and infrastructure gaps to gender-based constraints. Without targeted insights, opportunities for market access and inclusive growth remain underutilised.

To address this, the Canadian Consulate’s Trade Programme engaged VIISAUS to conduct a detailed study of the Nigerian agriculture sector. The aim was to map viable agri-investment pathways, identify gender-specific opportunities and assess the regulatory environment for Canadian businesses.

The study combined a desk review of more than 50 publications, stakeholder interviews with government, NGO and private sector actors, and investment climate diagnostics. A gender-sensitive lens was applied to value chain analysis, highlighting barriers and entry points for women entrepreneurs.

Key findings included 12 high-potential subsectors, nine regulatory and incentive mechanisms, and five profiled women-led Nigerian agri-businesses. The outputs also featured 15 practical recommendations covering innovation, market entry and policy reform pathways.

The study not only clarified investment opportunities but also highlighted systemic gender gaps and offered actionable strategies to bridge them. Its outcomes now guide Canadian policymakers and investors in shaping gender-responsive, sustainable partnerships that strengthen trade while supporting Nigerian agricultural growth.