UK-Nigeria Trade Mission builds on state visit momentum to drive commercial outcomes
UK Completes First Trade and Investment Mission to Nigeria Following Presidential Visit
By Nkiruka Nnorom
LAGOS, Nigeria — The United Kingdom has concluded its inaugural trade and investment mission to Nigeria following President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit. The mission aims to transform high-level agreements into practical commercial opportunities for enterprises in both nations.
Supported by the UK Department for Business and Trade and organized by DMA Invest in collaboration with the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), the two-day mission featured 43 delegates from 30 British companies. Participants aimed to establish partnerships, enhance commercial relations, and explore new opportunities within priority sectors alongside their Nigerian counterparts.
Trade between the UK and Nigeria has reached a record £8.1 billion, making Nigeria the UK’s largest export market in Africa. The mission emphasized the potential for UK expertise to further benefit Nigeria’s reform-driven economy.
Discussions during the mission covered several key sectors, including infrastructure, energy, agriculture, finance, and technology, among others. These focus areas align with the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), underscoring the compatibility of UK capabilities with Nigeria’s evolving market needs.
Moreover, the mission sought to challenge outdated perceptions of Nigeria, promoting its transition toward a high-potential, reformist economy. It encouraged businesses from both countries to recognize their complementary strengths and pursue new collaborations, reinforcing the notion that both nations are committed to fostering growth.
Dr. Richard Montgomery, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, stated, “This trade mission is a clear signal of intent. It demonstrates how we are converting strong political alignment into concrete commercial action and long-term partnerships.”
Aisha Rimi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, remarked, “This trade mission represents a strategic step in translating the momentum from the UK–Nigeria state visit into tangible investment outcomes. We are focused on facilitating partnerships that align with our national priorities.”
Ronald Chagoury Jr., Vice-Chairman of Hitech and ITB, expressed pride in supporting the trade mission, citing the recent successful closure of a $1 billion ports transaction backed by UK Export Finance as a testament to the strength of international partnerships in advancing Nigeria’s infrastructure.
The mission concluded with an optimistic view of continued collaboration between the UK and Nigeria, as both countries seek to harness their respective strengths for mutual growth.
