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Sadiq Khan Hails Lagos as ‘Africa’s Cultural Capital’ as He Launches First Trade Mission to Africa Lagos, Nigeria 

In a historic move to deepen ties between London and Africa, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, kicked off his first official mayoral trade mission to the continent, beginning in Nigeria’s commercial powerhouse—Lagos.

The week-long diplomatic and business tour will span Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, with the goal of strengthening economic, cultural, and innovation partnerships between the UK capital and some of Africa’s fastest-growing cities.

London Meets Silicon Lagoon
In Lagos, Khan met with top stakeholders from Nigeria’s burgeoning tech ecosystem, engaging in strategic conversations around investment, expansion, and bilateral cooperation. Hosted in collaboration with London & Partners, the UK capital’s official promotional agency, the Mayor’s visit emphasized London’s openness to Nigerian tech businesses seeking to scale globally.

“Lagos is the fastest-growing tech ecosystem globally; London is Europe’s number one tech hub. Together, we explored ways to support Nigerian tech companies looking to invest in London,” Khan shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

Often referred to as "Silicon Lagoon", Lagos boasts a vibrant digital economy fueled by youthful demographics, digital literacy, and fintech disruption. With over 60% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 25, Lagos continues to position itself as a launchpad for African innovation and tech talent.

Culture at the Core
Beyond economics, the Mayor placed strong emphasis on cultural diplomacy, describing culture as "the beating heart of London", which contributes over £63 billion annually and supports one in five jobs in the capital.

“Today I’m in Lagos—Africa’s cultural capital—to strengthen our cultural ties and celebrate shared successes,” Khan said. “We’ll work to deepen London’s strong ties with Africa and celebrate our shared heritage, history, and culture.”

From Afrobeats to Nollywood, Lagos’ cultural exports continue to influence global trends and reshape narratives about Africa. Khan’s recognition of Lagos as a creative powerhouse reaffirms the growing cultural synergy between the two global cities.

A Platform for Mutual Growth
During a roundtable with tech founders, venture capitalists, and industry leaders, discussions centered on:

Access to international markets

Knowledge exchange and innovation pipelines

Creating sustainable job opportunities across both regions

The Mayor expressed optimism that a robust UK-Nigeria tech partnership would not only boost trade but also enhance long-term economic and cultural development.

Building Bridges, Not Just Business
Khan’s Africa tour underscores London’s commitment to inclusive growth, global collaboration, and diaspora engagement, especially as the city becomes increasingly shaped by its diverse communities—including a vibrant African diaspora.

“This mission is about more than business. It’s about building a better, fairer London—by embracing and strengthening our global connections,” the Mayor said.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna