PH City Chamber pushes for trade, investment, skills development with Canadian support

…Plays host to Canadian Trade Commissioner Delane Boakye

The Port Harcourt City Chamber has moved for a big push for skills development, trade boost, and empowerment in its jurisdictional area with partnership with Canada.

The move was boosted by a strengthening of economic cooperation with Delane Boakye, Canadian Trade Commissioner and Second Secretary at the Deputy High Commission of Canada in Lagos who paid a courtesy visit to Chinyere Nwoga, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), at the Chamber’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

The high-level engagement focused on expanding trade relations, facilitating investment opportunities, and promoting technical skills development between Canada and Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the resource-rich Niger Delta region.

Nwoga, the first female President of PHCCIMA since its establishment in 1957, who welcomed the delegation, describing the visit as a timely opportunity to elevate bilateral business ties.

She said: “We are delighted to host you today and view this as a valuable platform to strengthen relations between Nigeria and Canada, especially in the Niger Delta.”

She highlighted PHCCIMA’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic chambers, renowned for upholding global best practices in transparency, trust, and seamless international transactions. She said: “The Chamber maintains strong ties with various embassies, engagement with the Canadian mission had been limited—until now.”

She said PHCCIMA positioned itself as a key facilitator, offering to recommend credible distributors, agents, and local partners for Canadian firms entering the Nigerian market, particularly in the Niger Delta.

They are to support due diligence processes and provide reliable referrals. By their talks, the relationship would make provision both partners. In exchange, the Chamber requested inclusion in Canada’s trade missions (inward and outward), capacity-building programmes, and training initiatives to equip members with insights into Canadian business standards and unlock mutual opportunities.

Nwoga also extended collaboration through PHCCIMA’s women’s wing (Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture), where she serves as National Vice-Chairman, for women-focused initiatives across Nigeria. She pledged the Chamber’s networks and local presence to support any Canadian programs targeting the Niger Delta business community.

Additionally, she invited the Canadian mission to participate in PHCCIMA’s upcoming national AGM of chambers of commerce in Nigeria—to be hosted for the first time in Port Harcourt in June—offering a platform to engage multiple chambers simultaneously, showcase investment prospects, and promote two-way trade.

The Chamber further invited Canada to secure advertising space in its forthcoming annual magazine to highlight Canada-Nigeria business opportunities. Nwoga described the engagement as a ‘historic step’ and extended an open invitation for future visits, including the annual ‘Bole Festival’ to experience the rich culture and hospitality of the Niger Delta.

Responding, Delane Boakye noted that Canada’s longstanding relations with Rivers State have traditionally centered on oil and gas, but there is strong interest in diversifying into new sectors.

Originally from Toronto, Ontario, with a background in international development, policy, and trade (including prior roles in defence exports, environmental policy, and refugee resettlement), Boakye has been based in Lagos for several months.

She emphasized Canada’s active pursuit of trade diversification through its ‘Africa Strategy’, which places commercial linkages at the core. Key priority sectors for collaboration include mining, oil and gas, clean energy and technology, education (particularly TVET partnerships), agriculture and agri-processing, ICT, and creative industries. She cited examples such as Canadian solar initiatives expanding in Rivers State.

Boakye looked forward to insights from the Chamber on how Canada can serve as a valued partner for Rivers State and Nigerian businesses.

The interactive session featured contributions from PHCCIMA’s elected council members and trade group chairmen, including Joseph Habib Sule, Emeka Ezekwe (Professional Services and Consultancy), Ernest Elochukwu (Membership), and Daboikiabo Jack (SME/NGO). Participants described the visit as timely, with potential to boost technical expertise, advance clean energy and AI applications in business, enhance peace and security through economic collaboration, and drive opportunities in areas like quarry operations and mining.

This engagement is said to signal a promising new chapter in Canada-Nigeria relations, opening doors for diversified trade, skills transfer, and inclusive economic growth in the Niger Delta and beyond. Both sides expressed optimism for sustained dialogue and concrete partnerships in the coming months.

There was also a meeting to pitch member companies with opportunities and technical expertise in Canada.