Nigeria and Ghana, like several African countries, have histories of cordial diplomatic relationships with the United Kingdom. The UK specifically continues to make moves to strengthen these relationships.

This was witnessed in mid-July in what has been described as a historic visit of the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan to Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana.

The UK governed Nigeria from 1862 until the country’s independence in 1960, following which diplomatic ties have been deepened, especially as both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, the International Criminal Court, and the World Trade Organisation.

The Mayor’s visit marked the first official trip by a sitting Mayor of London to sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring London’s commitment to building long-term, cross-sector partnerships that support inclusive growth, digital transformation, and cultural exchange.

Khan led a delegation of 27 London-based firms specializing in fintech, enterprise technology, and sustainability, supported by London & Partners, the city’s growth agency under Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber.

During the visit, the group engaged Nigerian policymakers, investors, and creatives in high-level meetings to unlock trade and investment opportunities across Africa.

Lagos economy and UK’s trade drive

Lagos is a fast-developing economy in Nigeria, from innovation, to finance, and tech to its sustainability drive. The city boasts of its position as one of Africa’s economic powerhouses, with its Gross Domestic Product reaching $259 billion based on Purchasing Power Parity, according to a report published on the government’s website in March, 2025 during the official launch of the Lagos Economic Development Update 2025.

According to the report, “The Lagos economy recorded significant growth in the first half of 2024, expanding to N27.38 trillion, which is a substantial increase from N19.65 trillion in 2023.”

Nigeria-based Nairametrics reported in May that a Netherlands-based research firm Dealroom.co named Lagos as the fastest-growing tech ecosystem in the world for 2025.

During his visit, Khan expressed delight in his trip to Nigeria, reiterating the UK’s motive to deepen trade drive in Africa.

“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 in an email to Nigerian media house, The PUNCH.

“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, creative tech, and sustainability.”

While in Lagos, Mayor Khan participated in a panel discussion at the “Bridging Borders: How London and Lagos Can Shape the Future of Global Tech,” tech event, where he highlighted how London and Lagos could jointly shape the future of global innovation. He encouraged Nigerian tech businesses to invest in London.

British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, said the Mayor of London’s visit underscored 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. Through the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership, we’re committed to unlocking new opportunities that benefit both our economies, and this visit is a powerful step forward in that journey of inclusive growth.”

The UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury, also 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.”

UK, Lagos explores investment prospects

The UK is seeking investments from Africans in its country, just as Lagos seeks foreign partnership as well.

According to Greater London Authority, in a publication on its website on July 15, 2025, the Mayor was highlighting the huge impact of the creative economies and encouraging even greater collaboration as part of his trade mission to Africa, banging the drum for London as a place to invest and strengthening ties with countries across the continent.

It reported further that the African continent had had a significant influence on London’s creative industries, including art, fashion and music.

According to GLA, later this year, a London edition of Lagos Canvas is also being planned with the support of the Lagos State Government to bring together outstanding talent across music, fashion, film and art to celebrate the spirit of Lagos on an international stage.

Nigeria-based Vanguard Newspapers reported that during the Mayor’s visit, the Lagos State Government and the City of London launched a pioneering partnership to promote technological innovation and collaboration between the two global cities.

During the Tech Summit in Lagos, Khan was quoted to have said that “London is Europe’s tech capital, Lagos is Africa’s. Most African unicorns are in Lagos, while London has over 120 unicorns.”

The Mayor described London’s African diaspora as a “secret weapon” for boosting cooperation between London and African countries, especially Nigeria.

He highlighted London’s population, with over 150,000 people of Nigerian descent, as a major opportunity for partnership and growth.

Khan encouraged Nigerian entrepreneurs and innovators to see London as a familiar and welcoming hub for expansion.

At the event, the Lagos Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Olatubosun Alake, called for a strong London-Lagos innovation corridor.

“Nigerian startups are building global solutions from local realities,” he said, noting that the partnership aimed to advance digital finance, promote ethical data use, and establish a North-South tech highway, anchored in Lagos and London.

“We’re inviting partners to co-invest, co-build, and co-lead with visionary governments,” he said.

Mayor launches London-Accra initiative

During Khan’s trip to Ghana, the British High Commission in Accra officially launched the “London to Accra Economic Growth Campaign” described by the UK government as a bold, series of activities aimed at strengthening economic ties between the UK and Ghana, by leveraging the two countries’ greatest shared asset, the British Ghanaian diaspora.

The launch took place at a reception attended by the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, and the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, alongside 100 entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders from the business communities both in Ghana and the UK.

According to a publication on the UK government’s website on July 17, seen by Open African Tribune, Keith McMahon, Chargé d’Affaires of the British High Commission in Accra, said the London to Accra campaign is a practical approach to supporting the UK’s growth mission. “Our two capitals are not just linked by culture. These connections are increasingly economic, with entrepreneurs building businesses that bridge both capitals and create prosperity in both nations. By strengthening these connections, we are creating new pathways for investment and economic growth that benefit citizens in both countries.”

Speaking during the event, the Mayor emphasised the impact of the Ghanaian community in London, saying, “London’s strength has always been its diversity and our Ghanaian community contributes enormously to our economy, culture, and social fabric. From award-winning musicians to healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and educators – their impact can be felt across every sector. This campaign recognises the crucial role that London plays as a global hub for diaspora engagement and international trade.”

Ghana-based news outlet, CitiNewsroom, reported that Khan warned that recent trade wars and protectionist policies were creating unnecessary divisions among nations.

“Right now, there are people who want to build walls between us—imposing tariffs, creating trade barriers, and pointing out our differences,” Khan said.

“I’m clear: we should be building bridges, not walls. We should be bringing people together. That’s why this initiative is so important.”

Speaking to the media, the Mayor of Accra, Michael Allotey, described Khan’s visit as “timely,” noting that it reinforces Accra’s ambitions to transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable transport system.

“The visit of the London Mayor to Ghana has benefited us so much. We have a lot of projects that we are doing with them, so he is here to check how things are going, and he is very happy with the improvement he has seen,” Mayor Allotey added.

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama in July reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to international trade and investment during a courtesy call from Khan.

He elaborated on key government initiatives, including the ’24-Hour Economy’ policy, drawing inspiration from London, a city he described as “never sleeping.”

In a statement issued by the Presidency on its website, accessed by Open African Tribune, the President explained, “We’ve launched a 24-Hour Economy initiative to harness Ghana’s vibrant youthful population and address the challenges of rapid urbanisation by promoting continuous economic activity and opportunities.”

Mahama further emphasised Ghana’s digital landscape, indicating the country’s readiness to fully integrate into the global FinTech community with numerous digital services and innovative companies emerging across the country.

“For a city like London, the efficiency of your transport system, even with perceived challenges, is truly remarkable,” the President noted, adding, “We aspire to develop similar reliable systems where punctuality is the norm for our citizens.”

UK’s push for trade deals in Africa post-BREXIT

The UK has been collaborating and offering support for trade and industrial policy development across the globe over the decades.

However, since its withdrawal from the European Union in 2020, its influence may have been weakened, pushing Global Britain into an accelerated drive for trade relations with developing economies in Africa.

This is also as the global race amongst the world powers, for an advantageous position in the African market, including the United States of America, China, and Russia, is getting more competitive.

A team of economic experts, in a report published by a Think Tank group, ODI Global, emphasised that five years after BREXIT, the UK has developed its own comprehensive trade strategy – a welcome and necessary step towards defining its independent global economic role.

They explained that in the context of new geoeconomic and political realities, the important dimensions of the UK strategy include introducing a more flexible overall approach to trade policy.

“The trade strategy requires follow-up in several areas, particularly regarding trade and development, which clearly serves the mutual interest of the UK and its partners. The UK government is currently developing its Africa Approach in partnership with African countries. Extensive consultations have taken place, and initial proposals appear promising, especially concerning trade and economic development,” the report published in July 2025 stated.

According to ODI Global, part of the UK strategy includes launching an “importing-from-Africa initiative” covering goods and services, and the possibility of how this can achieve a win-win situation.

Others include establishing a critical minerals collaborative initiative with Africa; Aligning and scaling up UK aid and trade policies to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its objectives to transform the continent by building resilient value chains; Placing greater focus on facilitating immigration and easing visa restrictions for African professionals and businesspeople, recognising the vital role of human mobility in trade and development.

What’s in it for Lagos and Accra?

Open African Tribune reached out to trade experts and tech startup founders in Lagos and Accra on what the Mayor of London’s visit means to the regions’ economy.

The Chief Executive Officer of Oxgital, a tech startup in Lagos, Osungbade Akeem, advocated the need to address governance gaps in trade compliance between countries.

Osungbade emphasised that without adequate checks and balances, foreign figures’ visits to African nations might end up as mere trips and photo ops.

“It’s always good to see high-profile visits, like the Mayor of London visiting Nigeria. It all comes with lots of optics and optimism but in the real sense, we must be honest with ourselves. Visits don’t magically solve problems or international relations problems. Issues are deeper – from trade compliance to governance gaps and the way we are seen as a country when we talk of the global value chain. Those are the frictions that could exist in international relations and how we need to look at how they can possibly be smoothed out,” the CEO told Open African Tribune.

“We can host every Mayor, Prime Minister and Royal figure in Lagos, but unless we fix our regulatory inconsistencies – how we nurture innovations and present Nigeria’s value on the world stage, these visits are just trips, they are just symbolic, camera optimism and nothing else. Real international relations are built on trust, structure and mutual accountability. Nigeria still has a lot of work to do there,” he added.

A Management Consultant in Lagos, Ayoyinka Oni, said the Mayor of London made a good decision to visit Lagos.

“We have had numerous visits like that in the past and some of these historical visits have led to great breakthroughs in the finance world and have also strengthened the UK-Nigeria economic relationship,” he said.

But as someone who has been in the Fintech space for almost a decade, Oni said he could tell categorically that the government of Lagos and Nigeria does not handle the lapses in the fintech industry.

“You can’t unlock the full potential of any collaboration when the masses are left behind. The people who have access to Fintech are still very limited due to the economy and the majority who even have access go for the loan products. Only a few high funders approach Fintech for investment and trade purposes. The secret is simple: expand the scope and open more products for the lowest in the country and the better and fairer for all. There will be more money, more innovation, more ideas and more growth.”

Attention shifting to Africa – Ghanaian tech expert

A Ghana-based co-founder of FX KUDI, Afeez, said he believes “the Mayor of London’s visit to Accra was symbolic.”

In an interview with Open African Tribune, he said the visit signals a growing recognition of Ghana’s role as a rising economic and innovation hub in Africa.

“For us in the fintech space, it strongly affirms that global attention is shifting towards the region for its market potential and its readiness to collaborate on a much broader scale outside Africa.”

From a trade and investment standpoint, Afeez said, “I believe this visit opens the door to deeper partnerships between Ghanaian and UK-based institutions. It creates a path for shared ideas, smoother regulatory alignment, and possibly, increased capital flow into local ventures that are solving real problems.

“The way I look at it is that, the kind of visibility that a visit like this brings can influence decision-makers, investors, and other stakeholders in both public and private sectors to take a closer look at Ghana as a place to invest, learn from and build with. As a matter of fact, Fintech being a significant part of cross-border trade that connects economies only confirms how further connected the UK and Ghana becomes.”

Afeez is “optimistic.” According to him, if the momentum from this visit is followed through with the right kind of dialogue and collaboration, it could lay the groundwork for long-term economic gains.