Sadiq Khan will this week become the first Mayor of London to lead a trade mission to Africa, banging the drum for the capital as a place to invest and strengthening ties with countries across the continent.
Sadiq will visit Lagos in Nigeria, Accra in Ghana, and Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa – four cities in five days – to boost trade links with London and build on extensive connections between the region and the capital’s growing African diaspora.
Alongside the visit, the Mayor’s growth agency, London & Partners, will host a trade delegation of 27 London-based companies that are looking to grow their business and access opportunities in this dynamic and important region of the world.
The bilateral trade relationship between Africa and the United Kingdom has shown consistent growth over recent years, despite global challenges.
More businesses from London expand into Africa than from any other city globally, and the UK stands as one of Africa’s significant trading partners.
With trade between the UK and Africa worth £50bn in 2024 and UK exports up six per cent year on year, the Mayor is hoping that his visit will contribute to future economic growth both in London and the cities he visits.
The visit also helps to celebrate London’s cultural links and history with the African continent.
Londoners of African heritage have played, and continue to play, a huge part in life in the capital, from food and music, to art and culture and sport.
Nigeria is the eighth most common country of birth for Londoners, with the country among the top 10 fastest growing populations in London, and Ghana in the top 30 fastest growing between 2001 and 2021.
Last month, London hosted the football Unity Cup, which saw Ghana and Nigeria go head-to-head in a semi-final at Brentford’s stadium.
New analysis from Dealroom has ranked Lagos as the world’s top emerging tech hub.
Lagos, Nigeria
In Lagos, the Mayor will attend a flagship tech event hosted by London and Partners, the growth agency for London, where he will encourage Nigerian tech businesses to invest in London.
He will also visit the Nigerian Stock Exchange and meet key Nigerian businesses who are looking to expand into London before ringing the ceremonial bell to officially close the Stock Exchange for the day.
Just last week, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) became the first Nigerian banking entity to list all of its shares directly on the London Stock Exchange, highlighting the close economic ties that already exist between London and the African continent.
Africa’s Creative Vibrancy Index ranks Lagos as the top city for creative economy performance, and the Mayor will also host a major culture and creative industries reception to celebrate the status of Lagos and London as cultural and creative industry powerhouses.
This will also look to encourage even greater ties between the creative industry ecosystems in both cities, from the arts to music and film.
Trade between the UK and Ghana stood at around £1.4 billion in 2024. In Accra, the Mayor will deliver a speech on innovation and entrepreneurship to students at the University of Ghana, hosted by Imperial College London.
Imperial is the first UK university to have a permanent base solely focused on science and technology in Africa, building on the rapid increase in the number of scientific advancements and breakthroughs by researchers from Imperial working with scientists in Ghana in recent years.
He will also launch the British High Commission’s new business campaign that will promote trade between the two cities.
Jo’burg, South Africa
In Johannesburg, the Mayor will commemorate Mandela Day – an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela’s birthday.
Nelson Mandela made a number of visits to London during his lifetime, including a state visit in 1996 by invitation of Queen Elizabeth II, and speaking in Trafalgar Square in 2005 in support of the Make Poverty History Campaign.
His impact on South Africa, the UK and the wider world is celebrated by a statue in Parliament Square, and last year the Mayor provided funding to support the first cultural centre and museum dedicated to the history of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in Britain.
Finally, the Mayor will visit Cape Town, where he will join London businesses from his trade delegation who are seeking new opportunities in Africa.
He will attend London & Partners’ London x Cape Town Tech Summit, which will bring together London and South Africa’s dynamic tech sectors, developing opportunities for collaboration between the two cities in driving innovation, attracting investment and scaling transformative technologies.
He will also take part in events marking the huge role sport can play in supporting communities, both in London and in Africa.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, “I am delighted to be visiting Africa this week – the first visit of its kind by a Mayor of London – to bang the drum for the capital and further develop the strong ties between our countries.
“Africa has the world’s fastest-growing population, and is seeing major economic growth across many of its economies. Over the next decade, there are huge opportunities to deepen partnerships with London.
“I will be working tirelessly throughout this visit to drive trade and investment across critical sectors, including finance, education, health, tech, creative and sustainability.
“Londoners of African heritage have played, and continue to play, a huge role in making London the greatest city in the world, and this trip is an opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage, history and culture with the African continent – as we build a better and fairer city for everyone.”
Lord Collins of Highbury, UK Minister for Africa, said, “Sir Sadiq’s visit marks an exciting moment for the UK’s relationship with countries across Africa, and is a strong demonstration of our commitment to deepening our ties with the continent.
“Strengthening our trade, investment, and cultural ties is not only vital for shared economic growth, but also for fostering long-term partnerships that are rooted in respect and open up opportunities for all.”
Dr Lloyd Anderson, the Acting Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at the British Council, said, “On behalf of the British Council in Sub-Saharan Africa, I am delighted to welcome Mayor Sadiq Khan on his historic trade mission to this vibrant continent.
“The visit will not only strengthen the bonds between London and Africa, but showcase the immense potential for trade, investment and cultural programmes.
“Given Africa’s dynamic economies and diverse cultures, there are precedented opportunities for collaborations that celebrate our shared heritage and drive innovation across sectors such as creative industries and education.
“I look forward to witnessing the fruitful partnerships that will emerge from this mission, enhancing not only economic ties but also the cultural connections that enrich both London and Africa.”
Olu Alake, CEO of The Africa Centre, London, UK, said, “The Africa Centre warmly welcomes The Mayor of London’s trade mission to Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa as part of his office’s focus on Africa.
“For over 60 years, we have had the pleasure of fostering meaningful engagements and innovative partnerships between the United Kingdom and the African continent.
“Mayor Khan’s visit represents a timely and strategic opportunity to deepen economic, cultural and innovation ties with the continent in a spirit of genuine partnership. We stand ready to support all efforts that will advance inclusive growth and mutual prosperity.”
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