Canada has launched a new initiative aimed at empowering women and youth entrepreneurs in Northern Nigeria through the Resilient and Inclusive Agri-Food Systems Empowering Women and Youth (RISE) project.
The announcement was made by the Minister of International Development of Canada, Ahmed Hussen, in a statement issued by the Canadian High Commission in Abuja on Monday.
The RISE initiative will provide direct support to approximately 450 women- and youth-owned or led agribusinesses and 250 smallholder farmer cooperatives in Bauchi, Kano, and Kaduna states.
“The project will foster inclusive economic growth and resilience and result in the creation of 8,000 jobs. With a budget of more than 20.2 billion naira (Can$19.2 million), this initiative seeks to economically empower women and youth and enhance food security in Nigeria’s Bauchi, Kano, and Kaduna states,” Hussen stated.
The project will focus on improving the productivity and climate resilience of smallholder farmers in key agricultural value chains and enhancing the business performance of women- and youth-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. It will be implemented over five years by the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) of Canada, in collaboration with Nigerian partners.
“The 5-year project will be implemented by the Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada, a non-governmental organisation, along with Nigerian partners,” the statement read.
The RISE initiative is part of Canada’s Africa Strategy: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity and Security, which focuses on enhancing economic cooperation, addressing peace and security challenges, promoting sustainable development, and advancing shared priorities such as climate change.
The strategy outlines a commitment to supporting over 50 international development and humanitarian assistance projects across Africa with an investment of $869.5 million.
These initiatives aim to foster economic growth, global health, peace and security, and strengthen Canada’s enduring partnership with African nations.
Hussen emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “Empowering women and youth in Nigeria’s agri-food sectors creates good jobs and economic growth that supports local communities and enhances sustainable food security. Through projects like this, we are investing in Canada and Africa’s collective economic prosperity, which strengthens global peace and security for us all.”
Governors from the affected states also expressed their support for the project.
The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, noted that the RISE project addresses the barriers women and youth face in accessing resources and markets.
He highlighted, “The RISE project, as designed, is aimed to address the barriers they face. By investing in women and youth-led businesses and cooperatives, this project is not only providing technical support but also empowering women and youth to lead their communities toward economic recovery and resilience.”
He further emphasized the significance of the project, saying, “Agriculture is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, providing most of the population—especially in the rural areas—livelihoods. Despite that, women and youth—who form the bulk of the workforce—are more often marginalised in accessing resources and markets.”
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He also reflected on the successes of the previous Nigeria WAY project, which supported 294 women- and youth-run small-scale businesses and helped create wealth through value chain development in rice, peanut, and soybean processing. The project also facilitated the establishment of 590 savings groups across seven local government areas in Bauchi State.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, emphasized that the project would address the inequalities hindering the advancement of women and youth, particularly in the agricultural sector.
“In Northern Nigeria, women are at the frontline of food production. In a time of economic uncertainty, this project offers a unique opportunity to address inequalities that have hindered the advancement of women and youth. By equipping them with the resources and knowledge to thrive, the RISE project is fostering inclusive growth and ensuring that women and youth’s contributions to the economy are fully recognised and supported,” Sani noted.
The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, underscored the importance of empowering women and youth with climate-smart technologies to combat the severe effects of climate change, such as flooding and desertification.
“Nigeria has bursting potential in its agricultural sector but faces big challenges, including the severe effects of climate change, like flooding and desertification. Supporting the empowerment of women and youth and arming them with climate-smart technology will help Kano advance its development and economic goals. I look forward to seeing the RISE project help do this,” Yusuf said.
Canada’s ongoing commitment to Nigeria is evident in its long-term investments aimed at fostering economic growth, supporting health and education, and addressing humanitarian needs.
Over the past five years, Canada has invested more than Can$345 million in Nigeria, supporting health systems, women’s economic participation, and providing humanitarian assistance.