By Ebunoluwa Sessou & Esther Chukwuchebem

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, on Monday hosted the first-ever London-Africa Business Summit, bringing together more than 200 business and political leaders from across Africa and the United Kingdom to deepen trade, investment and economic cooperation between both regions.

The summit, held at City Hall in London, marked a major milestone in the city’s engagement with Africa and followed Khan’s landmark trade mission to Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa in 2025, the first such mission undertaken by a London Mayor.

Participants at the summit were Ghana’s Minister of Trade for Agribusiness and Industry, representatives of the Nigerian Exchange Group, London Africa Network, Ventures 54 and the SOAS University of London.
Speaking at the event, Sadiq Khan said London remained the preferred global destination for African businesses seeking international expansion and investment opportunities.

According to him, African companies have invested more than £30 million in London through foreign direct investment since his trade mission to Africa last year.

“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,” he said.

The Mayor noted that 117 African organisations are currently listed on the London Stock Exchange, more than any other stock exchange globally. The companies span key sectors including telecommunications, finance, energy and technology.

Among them are Airtel Africa and Seplat Energy highlighting London’s position as a leading financial hub for African enterprises.

The summit comes amid growing economic ties between Africa and the UK. Total trade between the UK and African countries reached approximately £52 billion in 2025, while UK exports to the continent rose to nearly £26.2 billion.

Africa is increasingly being viewed as a major growth frontier due to rapid urbanisation, rising consumer demand, infrastructure development and population growth. The UK currently maintains trade agreements with 18 African countries and remains among the continent’s top 10 supplying markets.
Khan said the London Growth Plan aims to attract more foreign direct investment to expand the city’s economy by £107 billion by 2035 and support the creation of 150,000 jobs by 2028.

The summit also explored opportunities for collaboration in financial services, digital technology, healthcare, education, infrastructure, energy transition and the creative industries.

Meanwhile, the Country Director, UK Department for Business and Trade, Nigeria and Anglo West Africa, Mark Smithson, described the forum as a platform that had brought together ambition, capital and innovation.

“The London-Africa Business Forum has reinforced London’s role as a global gateway for African enterprise. We are deepening partnerships that drive sustainable growth, shared prosperity and long-term opportunity across both regions,” he said.

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of First Bank, UK, Olukorede Adenowo, said the bank remained committed to strengthening the Africa-UK business corridor.

He noted that London continues to provide African businesses with access to global markets, while Africa offers significant long-term investment opportunities.

“Through stronger collaboration, we can unlock greater investment and deliver sustainable growth across both regions,” Adenowo said.

Managing Director, Industry Engagement Defence and Trade at NatWest Group, Soren Nikolajsen, said London’s strong financial ecosystem and global connectivity make it one of the world’s leading destinations for international investment.

Similarly, Chief Executive Officer of Teybridge Capital, Dylan Martin, said the firm’s expansion into London reflected confidence in the UK market and the city’s growing role as a global investment centre.

Analysts say the summit signals a renewed effort by London to strengthen its commercial relationship with Africa at a time when the continent is attracting increasing global attention as a destination for investment, innovation and long-term economic growth.