London Mayor Sadiq Khan is set to visit four major African cities – Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, and Cape Town as part of a UK-Africa engagement tour aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and cultural cooperation between the United Kingdom and the African continent.
The tour reflects London’s growing commitment to deepening global relationships beyond Europe and will celebrate both the historical and contemporary connections between the UK capital and Africa.
According to City Hall, the visit aims to highlight the contributions of African communities to London’s diversity and economy while forging new partnerships in business, technology, and the creative industries.
Speaking on his official X profile, Khan confirmed his travel plans, saying, “Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg and Cape Town; These will be my stops later this month on the first trade mission to Africa by a Mayor of London.”
The announcement follows his recent visit to Flygerians, a Nigerian restaurant in Peckham, where he met with business owners to witness first-hand the contributions of African entrepreneurs to the city’s economy.
Africa’s big economies on target
The Africa trip, first announced in December last year, is part of a strategic trade and diplomatic outreach aimed at deepening business, environmental, and cultural ties between London and key African economies.
Mayor Sadiq Khan’s itinerary will take him to four major commercial hubs across Nigeria (Lagos), Ghana (Accra), and South Africa (Cape Town and Johannesburg), cities regarded as some of Africa’s most dynamic economic centers.
His visit will include high-level meetings with political and business leaders, as well as engagements with cultural institutions and members of the African diaspora.
“I’m delighted to announce that later this month I will be visiting Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa to bang the drum for further investment in London and strengthen the cultural ties we have with each country.”
“With growing populations, rapidly advancing technology hubs and an appetite for boosting our trading relationships, this trade mission will be a fantastic opportunity to drive further investment here in London and further deepen our partnerships.”
In Nigeria and Ghana, West Africa’s largest economies, Khan is expected to pursue new partnerships in technology, fintech, education, and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, the UK’s largest trading partner on the continent, the focus will be on green investment and fostering city-to-city cooperation on urban sustainability and innovation.
The visit reflects London’s broader push to position itself as a global gateway for African investment and creativity, while strengthening the longstanding ties shaped by migration, trade, and shared heritage.
