London Mayor, Sadiq Khan to Visit Lagos

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has successfully concluded a landmark visit to Lagos, Nigeria, aimed at boosting trade, investment, and cultural exchange between the United Kingdom and Africa’s largest economy.

The visit, which marks the first official trip by a sitting Mayor of London to sub-Saharan Africa, underscores the growing significance of Nigeria in the UK’s global partnership agenda.

Mayor Khan led a high-profile trade delegation of 27 London-based companies spanning fintech, enterprise technology, and sustainability sectors.

The mission was supported by London & Partners, the Mayor’s official promotional agency, and was spearheaded on ground by Howard Dawber, the Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth.

“I am delighted to be visiting Nigeria and 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,” Khan said during the visit.

The trade mission was designed to strengthen economic collaboration, unlock new business opportunities, and deepen the cultural and innovation-based relationship between London and Lagos — two of the world’s most dynamic urban centres.

The Mayor’s engagements included a keynote appearance at the “Bridging Borders: How London and Lagos Can Shape the Future of Global Tech” event, where he urged Nigerian tech entrepreneurs to consider investing in London, citing the city’s thriving innovation ecosystem.

Khan also co-hosted the Lagos Canvas Reception alongside Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu at EbonyLife Place. The event celebrated the rich cultural synergy between the UK and Nigeria and highlighted Lagos and London’s roles as global powerhouses in the creative and cultural industries.

The British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, praised the visit, saying:

“The Mayor of London’s visit underscores the UK Government’s commitment to strengthening economic and cultural ties with Nigeria. From trade to fintech and fashion, our collaboration is driving innovation and growth.”
UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, also welcomed the visit, describing it as a significant step in fostering long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.

“Khan’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.”
As part of a broader African tour, Mayor Khan will proceed to Accra, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, continuing his campaign to promote London as a global hub for investment, innovation, and cultural exchange.

The visit not only reflects the importance of UK-Nigeria relations but also highlights a shared vision for inclusive growth, digital transformation, and creative industry collaboration in a post-Brexit, globally connected world.

Khan added: “Londoners of African heritage have played, and continue to play, a huge role in making London the greatest city in the world. 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.”