London Mayor Sadiq Khan convened the first-ever London-Africa Business Summit at City Hall, bringing together more than 200 business and political leaders to deepen commercial ties between the UK capital and the African continent, as he disclosed that African companies had invested more than £30 million in London through foreign direct investment since his groundbreaking trade mission to Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa in 2025.
Khan described Africa as one of the world’s most dynamic growth regions and reaffirmed London’s commitment to supporting African companies seeking global expansion. He said the summit represented a new chapter in economic relations between London and Africa, as both sides sought to capitalize on growing trade opportunities and the continent’s emergence as one of the most significant engines of future economic growth.
The summit’s significance was underscored by London’s position as the world’s leading stock exchange for African listings: 117 African companies are currently listed on the London Stock Exchange, more than on any other exchange globally, spanning telecommunications, banking, energy, mining, technology, and infrastructure. Fewer than 20 African companies are listed on the New York Stock Exchange by comparison.
Total UK-Africa trade reached approximately £52 billion in 2025, while British exports to African countries climbed to nearly £26.2 billion. The UK hosts one of the largest African diaspora populations in Europe, including an estimated 215,000 Nigerians, creating deep cultural, social, and commercial ties that continue to strengthen bilateral relations.
Mark Smithson, Country Director for Nigeria and Anglo West Africa at the UK Department for Business and Trade, said the forum could translate ambition into tangible economic outcomes. Olukorede Adenowo, Chief Executive of FirstBank UK, said London remained a critical gateway for African businesses seeking international expansion while Africa offered some of the most attractive long-term investment opportunities globally.
The summit aligned with London’s Growth Plan, which targets enough investment to add £107 billion to the city’s economy by 2035 and create 150,000 new jobs by 2028, with African investment expected to play an increasingly important role in achieving those targets.
