Mayor Sadiq Khan will lead a trade delegation to Africa. While the specific itinerary remains under wraps, details about the countries he plans to visit are expected to emerge next year.
Khan made the announcement during the 15th anniversary awards ceremony of the Guba (Grow, Unite, Build Africa) organisation at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in central London.
Guba’s founder and president, Lady Dentaa Amoateng—a British-Ghanaian entrepreneur and actor—could hint at Ghana being among the destinations. Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, is also likely to be on the agenda.
City Hall confirmed that Khan intends to “lead a delegation of London-based businesses to key markets in Africa,” aiming to foster economic growth in both London and the visited countries. Since taking office in 2016, Khan has embarked on at least 18 international trips, including visits to India, Pakistan, the United States, Canada, Argentina, and several European nations. A visit to the Far East is also reportedly in the pipeline for next year.
Speaking at the event, Khan highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with Africa, stating:
“If London is to maintain our character and competitive edge, and if we are to be an active player and partner in growing, uniting, and building Africa, then we need each other now more than ever. The truth is we all stand to gain from forging new connections rooted in respect and reciprocity. But we, as a city and as a country, need to do much more to deepen and expand our trading relationship with Africa.”
Khan also expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming mission:“Although I may be living a dream as mayor, I still have many ambitions. One of them is to lead this historic trade delegation. While I can’t provide details tonight, I’m optimistic we’ll make an announcement soon, alongside Guba.”
Data from 2023 underscores the potential for growth in African ties: visitors from Africa accounted for 2% of total visits to London and 4% of spending in the capital. Additionally, over 7,000 African students currently call London home, further cementing the city’s strong connections with the continent.