London Mayor Sadiq Khan has become the first City Hall leader to embark on an official trade mission to Africa, undertaking a five-day tour of Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg and Cape Town to strengthen economic, cultural and technological ties between London and the continent, LondonlovesBusiness reported.
This historic visit comes as Africa emerges as a major economic force, with the African Development Bank forecasting average GDP growth of around 4% in 2025, while the continent also boasts a rapidly growing middle class. In addition, Africa is home to one of the world’s youngest populations, presenting significant opportunities for partnerships in technology, education and green industries.
The Mayor is joined by London & Partners, his growth agency, and a delegation of 27 London-based companies exploring expansion into Africa’s dynamic markets. London is home to more businesses operating in Africa than any other global city, and the UK remains one of Africa’s key trading partners. In 2024, trade between the UK and Africa reached £50 billion, with UK exports rising 6% year-on-year.
During his visit, Khan will promote London as a hub for finance, innovation and creative industries. In Lagos – ranked the world’s top emerging tech hub by Dealroom – he will encourage Nigerian tech companies to invest in London and attend a tech summit hosted by London & Partners. The Mayor will also highlight London’s shared cultural connections with Africa, celebrating the contributions of the African diaspora, who play a vital role in the city’s arts, music and business scenes.
In Accra, he will speak at the University of Ghana on innovation and entrepreneurship and support new initiatives to foster UK–Ghana trade ties. In Johannesburg, Khan will commemorate Mandela Day and emphasize London’s solidarity with South Africa’s democratic journey. Finally, in Cape Town, he will participate in tech and cultural events aimed at deepening cooperation between London and Africa.
The mission also seeks to unlock opportunities in critical sectors like health tech, education, sustainable energy and creative industries, reflecting Africa’s transformation into a thriving hub of digital and economic activity, while acknowledging infrastructure and political challenges that businesses must navigate.
