The agency states that 34,325 people from Africa settled in Alberta between 2016 and 2021. They were 15,695 who settled in Calgary and 14,060 who settled in Edmonton.

Of these newcomers, 2,165 were French speakers.

Nigeria at the top

With 9,840 new Nigerian arrivals, this population group is the one with the largest number of migrants from African communities.

Nigeria ranks third after the Philippines and India in the list of top birth countries of immigrants who settled in Alberta between 2016 and 2021.

According to Clare Jagunna, director of the organization hands raising heartsAs the growing number of Nigerians settling in Alberta, creates a supportive community that contributes to their successful settlement.

The data also shows that 5,115 new arrivals were from Eritrea, 3,960 from Ethiopia, 1,960 from Somalia and 1,950 from the Republic of South Africa.

Develop a community

In Calgary, the organization Calgary African Community Collective brings African immigrants together and offers them support and services.

Its executive director, Farah Ali, finds that more and more people attend the group’s events and gatherings every year. According to him, a network helps them overcome challenges such as adjusting to a new life, the culture shock of moving, racism, rising living costs and mental health issues.

If you have people in your own community who have experienced what you are about to experience, you will settle in faster.adds Charles Odame Ankrah, board member of the Calgary African Community Collective.

He adds that the increasing number of companies is helping newcomers feel more connected to their home country.

” Now there are many African restaurants and shops, so if you come here, don’t miss it like 30 years ago. Times are changing and you now see a bit of Africa all over the city. »

Good luck with your training

Clare Jagunna believes that Nigerian migrants’ high level of education and English skills also help them settle in well. She points out that English is the most widely spoken language in Nigeria.

Nigerians are generally very successful with their educationShe says. Everyone coming from Nigeria is educated and ready to learn.

Many new immigrants settle [à Calgary] and within a year they have a full-time job and are planning to buy a propertyadds Farah Ali.

Clare Jagunna wants more Nigerians to hold positions of power in Alberta, both in business and in politics.

We want our voices to be heard now and people are trying as much as possible to become leaders in their own fields.underlines the Nigerian origin.

” We’re not very well represented compared to other ethnic minorities, so I think we need to improve that. It would be beneficial to the black community. »

Farah Ali agrees: I look forward to seeing a better represented community, especially in politics.

With information from Dan McGarvey