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Canada has unveiled a new initiative to empower women and youth entrepreneurs in the North through the introduction of the Resilient and Inclusive Agri-Food Systems Empowering Women and Youth project.
This was announced 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.
“It will improve the productivity and climate resilience of smallholder farmers in key agriculture value chains and raise the business performance of women- and youth-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
“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 $869.5m.
These initiatives aim to foster economic growth, global health, peace, and security, and strengthen Canada’s enduring partnership with African nations.
Speaking about the initiative, Hussen stated, “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,” according to the statement.
Governors from the affected states also expressed support for the project.
The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, highlighted that the RISE project addresses the barriers women and youth face in accessing resources and markets.
Mohammed emphasised that the project empowers them to lead their communities toward economic recovery and resilience, building on the successes of the previous Nigeria WAY project.
“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.
“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.
“This builds on the successes achieved by the Nigeria WAY project, implemented by MEDA and Global Affairs Canada, which worked to support 294 women- and youth-run small-scale businesses to create wealth by promoting value chain development in rice, peanut and soybean processing as well as the establishment of 590 savings groups across 7 Local Government Areas in Bauchi State, Nigeria,” the governor said.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, stressed that the project addresses the inequalities that hinder the advancement of women and youth, helping them thrive in the agricultural sector.
Sani noted, “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,” Yusuf stated
Meanwhile, the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, emphasised the importance of empowering women and youth with climate-smart technology to combat the severe effects of climate change, such as flooding and desertification.
Yusuf said, “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.”
Canada’s involvement in Nigeria is part of a long-term commitment to fostering economic growth, supporting health and education, and responding to humanitarian needs.
Over the past five years, Canada has invested more than Can$345m in Nigeria, supporting health systems, women’s economic participation, and providing humanitarian assistance.
