London has intensified efforts to strengthen its economic engagement with Africa following the inaugural London-Africa Business Summit hosted by Mayor Sadiq Khan, a landmark event aimed at positioning the British capital as the leading global gateway for African investment, trade and innovation.
The summit, held at City Hall on Wednesday, brought together more than 200 investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs and business executives from across Africa and the United Kingdom. The gathering underscored growing economic cooperation between the two regions amid increasing international competition for access to Africa’s rapidly expanding markets.
Speaking at the event, Khan described Africa as one of the world’s most dynamic growth regions and reaffirmed London’s commitment to supporting African enterprises seeking international expansion and investment opportunities.
“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 summit represents a major milestone following Khan’s 2025 trade mission to Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa—the first official African trade mission undertaken by a serving Mayor of London. The visit was designed to strengthen commercial partnerships and deepen economic engagement with some of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing economies.
According to officials, the strategy has already yielded significant results, with African companies investing more than £30 million in London through foreign direct investment since the mayor’s visit last year.
Participants highlighted London’s position as the foremost international marketplace for African businesses. Data presented at the summit showed that 117 African companies are currently listed on the London Stock Exchange, more than on any other stock exchange globally. The companies operate across key sectors including telecommunications, banking, energy, mining, technology and infrastructure.
The figures further reinforce London’s dominance as a financial hub for African enterprises, particularly when compared with other major financial centres, with fewer than 20 African firms currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Beyond capital markets, discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration in technology, renewable energy, healthcare, education, agribusiness, creative industries and infrastructure development. Representatives from Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, the Nigerian Exchange Group, the London Africa Network, SOAS University of London and several investment institutions participated in sessions aimed at unlocking new investment and business opportunities.
Experts at the summit noted that Africa is increasingly being viewed as a strategic economic partner rather than solely through a development lens. With some of the world’s fastest-growing cities and a population projected to exceed 2.5 billion by 2050, the continent is attracting growing interest from global investors seeking new markets and long-term growth opportunities.
The strengthening relationship is reflected in trade figures. Despite global economic headwinds, total UK-Africa trade reached approximately £52 billion in 2025, while British exports to African countries rose to nearly £26.2 billion.
The economic ties are further reinforced by strong people-to-people connections. The United Kingdom is home to one of Europe’s largest African diaspora communities, including an estimated 215,000 Nigerians, providing enduring cultural, social and commercial links between both regions.
Business leaders attending the summit described these connections as a critical foundation for future cooperation. Mark Smithson, Country Director for Nigeria and Anglo West Africa at the UK Department for Business and Trade, said stronger partnerships between British and African businesses would help generate sustainable growth, attract investment and create employment opportunities across both regions.
Similarly, Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank UK, Olukorede Adenowo, noted that London remains a vital gateway for African companies seeking global expansion, while Africa continues to offer some of the most attractive long-term investment opportunities worldwide.
The summit also aligns with London’s broader economic objectives. Under the city’s Growth Plan, London aims to attract sufficient investment to add £107 billion to its economy by 2035 and create 150,000 jobs by 2028, with African investment expected to contribute significantly to those targets.
Observers say the significance of the inaugural summit extends beyond investment announcements, reflecting a broader shift in global perceptions of Africa as an emerging economic powerhouse capable of shaping future trends in trade, finance and innovation.
As international financial centres compete for stronger access to African markets, London is betting that its historic ties, global financial expertise and multicultural character will secure a leading role in the continent’s economic future. The strong turnout and growing investment flows suggest that strategy is already gaining momentum.
