In a visit that underscores the expanding frontiers of global innovation and cultural diplomacy, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, arrived in Lagos this week with a 27-member trade delegation focused on fintech, sustainability, and creative enterprise.
The trip is his first to sub-Saharan Africa and marks a defining moment in UK-Africa relations, placing Lagos at the center of London’s evolving trade and innovation agenda.
Sadiq Khan, who has served as Mayor of London since 2016 and is the city’s first Muslim mayor, is known for championing inclusive growth and sustainable urban development.
A former human rights lawyer and Member of Parliament, Khan has consistently positioned London as a global hub for openness, innovation, and diversity. His Lagos visit reinforces this narrative, reimagining cross-continental partnerships beyond traditional diplomacy.
“Over the next decade, there are huge opportunities to deepen partnerships with London,” Khan said during a high-profile panel in Lagos titled Bridging Borders: How London and Lagos Can Shape the Future of Global Tech. “Africa has the world’s fastest-growing populations and is seeing major economic growth across many of its economies.”
Backed by London & Partners, his city’s growth and promotion agency, the Mayor’s delegation met with Nigerian tech leaders, investors, and creatives to explore joint ventures and unlock new business opportunities.
The panel, one of several curated events, emphasized how London and Lagos can shape global conversations around fintech, sustainability, and cultural innovation.
At the heart of the visit was a creative industry reception co-hosted by Khan and media entrepreneur Mo Abudu at EbonyLife Place, spotlighting Lagos’ status as Africa’s creative capital.
The event celebrated the deep cultural ties between the two cities and highlighted the role of the creative economy in redefining modern trade partnerships.
Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, affirmed the UK’s renewed focus on collaboration with Nigeria. “From trade to fintech and fashion, our collaboration is driving innovation and growth,” he said.
UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury, echoed the sentiment. “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,” he stated.
Why It Matters
The Lagos stop is part of Khan’s broader Africa tour, which includes visits to Accra, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, designed to position London as a prime destination for African investment, education, and cultural exchange.
For Lagos’ tech scene, the Mayor’s visit sends a strong message: the world is watching—and investing. As Africa’s digital economy grows, partnerships like these may determine how equitably the continent integrates into the global innovation ecosystem.
In a post-Brexit era, London is recalibrating its global alliances. And with Lagos rising as Africa’s tech nerve center, the UK’s pivot toward the continent may not just be strategic—it could be transformative.
Talking Point
Africa is no longer a backstage economy; it’s the show. Sadiq Khan’s Lagos visit is more than a diplomatic gesture; it’s an acknowledgment that Africa is no longer on the sidelines of the global economy.
For years, the continent has been courted for its natural resources now it’s being pursued for its intellectual capital and innovation hubs. Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, and Cape Town are emerging as serious players, not just token partners.
Fintech was a core focus of Khan’s delegation, and for good reason. Nigeria leads Africa in mobile payments, blockchain startups, and digital lending.
Yet while the UK has world-class financial infrastructure, its growth is slowing. Meanwhile, Africa’s unbanked and underserved population represents massive potential.
The reception co-hosted with Mo Abudu emphasized the value of cultural exports from Nollywood to Afrobeats. Culture is now a global commodity, and Lagos and London have both mastered the art of exporting it.
But while London builds policy around its creatives, Nigeria’s creative industry often struggles with piracy, funding gaps, and zero structural support. How can there be true creative partnerships when one party has a system and the other only has hustle?
