The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, yesterday hosted City Hall's inaugural London-Africa business summit, convening 200 business and political leaders from across the continent to enhance trade and investment ties between London and Africa. Held in the heart of the City of London, the summit featured the Minister of Trade for Agribusiness and Industry in Ghana, along with representatives from SOAS, the Nigerian Exchange Group, Ventures 54, and the London Africa Network. The event showcased London as the premier global city for African companies seeking international expansion and investment attraction.
Summit Builds on Trade Mission Momentum
The Mayor announced the summit during his 2025 trade mission to Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, where he led a delegation to promote London as a global investment destination. Since that visit, African businesses have invested more than £30 million into London through foreign direct investment. Currently, 117 African organizations are listed on the London Stock Exchange, spanning sectors from telecommunications and finance to energy and technology, including telecoms giant Airtel Africa and energy supplier Seplat Energy. In comparison, fewer than 20 African organizations are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, underscoring London's deep economic and cultural links with the continent.
Economic Growth and Trade Relations
The summit builds on growing economic momentum between the UK and Africa. Total UK-Africa trade reached approximately £52 billion in 2025 despite global economic uncertainty, while UK exports to Africa increased to nearly £26.2 billion, reflecting rising demand for UK goods and services across African markets. Africa is increasingly recognized as one of the world's most important long-term growth regions, driven by rapid urbanization, infrastructure investment, population growth, and expanding consumer markets. The UK remains among Africa's top 10 supplying markets and continues to strengthen trade relationships through agreements covering 18 African countries.
There are also substantial community links between the UK and Africa. The UK has the second-largest Nigerian diaspora population, second only to the United States, with an estimated 215,000 Nigerians residing there. The Mayor's London Growth Plan identified the need to attract more foreign direct investment to help grow London's economy by £107 billion by 2035 and support the creation of 150,000 good jobs by 2028. London continues to lead as the top destination for African foreign direct investment in Europe and the U.S., ranking second globally outside Africa behind only Dubai.
Collaboration Opportunities Across Sectors
The summit also highlighted major opportunities for collaboration across sectors, including financial services, digital technology, education, healthcare, energy transition, infrastructure, and creative industries. London is well-positioned to deepen its role as a strategic trade and investment partner for African markets.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "I am proud to host City Hall's first ever London-Africa business Summit, bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, and businesses to showcase London as the best city in the world for African companies to expand internationally and attract investment. With more African companies listed on the London Stock Exchange than any other exchange, it is one of the most globally important growth regions. I am delighted that my African trade mission last year has encouraged both inward investment and outward expansion, creating jobs and further strengthening the links between us. I look forward to more opportunities developing from this Summit as we continue to build a better, more prosperous London for everyone."
Country Director, UK Department for Business and Trade, Nigeria, and Anglo West Africa, Mr. Mark Smithson, said: "The London-Africa Business Forum has brought together ambition, capital, and creativity, reinforcing London's role as a global gateway for African enterprise. As we look to the next chapter, we are deepening partnerships that drive sustainable growth, shared prosperity, and long-term opportunity across both regions. In Nigeria, we are working closely with key partners, businesses, and investors to unlock investment, create jobs, and deliver tangible economic outcomes."
