The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, concluded a significant visit to Lagos yesterday, marking a pivotal moment in strengthening the economic and cultural ties between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
The unprecedented trip by a sitting Mayor of London to sub-Saharan Africa highlighted the increasing importance of Nigeria as a key partner in the UK’s global trade and investment strategy, with a particular emphasis on the fast-growing fintech, innovation, and creative sectors.
Mayor Khan led a substantial trade delegation comprising 27 London-based companies specialising in fintech, enterprise technology, and sustainability.
Reflecting on his groundbreaking visit, Khan expressed his delight at being in Nigeria and Africa, describing it as the first visit of its kind by a Mayor of London. He emphasised his commitment to promoting the capital and further strengthening the already robust ties between the two countries.
“Africa has the world’s fastest-growing populations and is seeing major economic growth across many of its economies,” Khan stated, highlighting the opportunities over the next decade to deepen partnerships with London.
He affirmed his tireless efforts throughout the visit to promote trade and investment across vital sectors, including finance, education, health, technology, creative industries, and sustainability.
The mayor also paid tribute to Londoners of African heritage, recognising their invaluable contribution to making London “the greatest city in the world,” and saw the trip as an opportunity to celebrate shared heritage, history, and culture while working towards a more inclusive and equitable city for all.
British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, reaffirmed the UK Government’s steadfast commitment to strengthening economic and cultural ties with Nigeria.
He emphasised the synergistic collaboration across trade, fintech, and fashion as key drivers of innovation and growth, highlighting that through the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership, both nations are committed to unlocking new opportunities that benefit their respective economies.
This visit represents a significant step forward in the journey of inclusive growth.
Echoing these sentiments, UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury, praised Mayor Khan’s visit as an “exciting moment” for the UK’s relationship with African countries, serving as a strong demonstration of their dedication to strengthening ties with the continent.
He emphasised that strengthening trade, investment, and cultural links is essential not only for shared economic growth but also for fostering long-term partnerships based on respect and creating opportunities for all.
The delegation, supported by the mayor’s growth agency, London & Partners, under the leadership of Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber (OBE), participated in a series of high-level discussions with Nigerian policymakers, investors, and influential figures in the creative industries.
The curated events aimed to promote strong collaboration and unlock new business opportunities across Africa, demonstrating London’s commitment to long-term, cross-sector partnerships that support inclusive growth, digital transformation, and vibrant cultural exchange.
The mayor’s itinerary in Lagos commenced with his participation in a panel discussion at the “Bridging Borders: How London and Lagos Can Shape the Future of Global Tech” event.
Here, he emphasised the shared potential of both cities to shape the trajectory of global innovation jointly, extending an open invitation to Nigerian tech businesses to consider investment opportunities in London.
This was followed by the “Lagos Canvas Reception,” a celebration of Nigeria’s flourishing creative sector, co-hosted by Mayor Khan and media mogul Mo Abudu at Ebony Life Place. The reception served as a powerful testament to the status of Lagos and London as global powerhouses in the creative industries, with a clear intent to foster even greater ties between the creative ecosystems of both cities.
From the dynamic realms of art and fashion to the influential sectors of music and film, these collaborations are central to the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), which seeks to expand trade and unlock new avenues for growth within the creative economy.
As his Lagos engagements drew to a close, Khan prepared to continue his historic trade mission to other African cities, including Accra, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.
The overarching objective of this extensive tour is to champion London as a premier destination for investment, innovation, and cultural exchange, thereby solidifying economic ties with nations across the African continent.
