London targets Africa’s capital as £30m flows after trade push

The City of London is stepping up efforts to position itself as the preferred global gateway for African businesses, as fresh investment figures show that African companies have committed more than £30 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into London since the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, embarked on a landmark trade mission to Africa in 2025.

The investment milestone was disclosed on Thursday at the inaugural London-Africa Business Summit, hosted by the Mayor at City Hall. The event brought together over 200 business leaders, investors and policymakers from across Africa and the United Kingdom to deepen economic ties and unlock new trade opportunities.

The summit comes at a time when African economies are attracting increasing global attention due to their growing populations, expanding consumer markets and rising demand for infrastructure, technology and financial services.

Speaking at the summit, Khan said London remains one of the most attractive destinations for African companies seeking international expansion and access to global capital.

According to him, the city’s relationship with Africa is already reflected in its financial markets, where 117 African companies are currently listed on the London Stock Exchange, more than on any other stock exchange in the world.

The figure highlights London’s enduring role as a financial bridge between Africa and global investors. Companies from sectors such as telecommunications, banking, energy and technology continue to use London as a platform to access international funding and broaden their investor base.

The summit is also a direct outcome of Khan’s 2025 trade mission to Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa, the first official trade mission to Africa by a London Mayor. The trip was designed to strengthen commercial relationships and encourage two-way investment flows.

Economic data presented at the event showed that total trade between the United Kingdom and Africa reached approximately £52 billion in 2025, despite ongoing global economic uncertainties. UK exports to African markets rose to nearly £26.2 billion, underscoring the continent’s growing importance to British businesses.

For African companies, London offers deep capital markets, access to international investors, strong legal protections and a mature financial services ecosystem. For the UK, Africa represents one of the world’s fastest-growing economic frontiers, with significant opportunities in technology, renewable energy, healthcare, infrastructure, education and creative industries.

The summit also showcased examples of growing business activity between both regions. South African investment firm Teybridge Capital recently expanded its London operations, contributing an estimated £8 million to the city’s economy and creating more than 30 jobs. Insurance giant Santam also established a London branch earlier this year through the Lloyd’s market platform.

In another development that could further strengthen economic ties, Dangote Cement is considering a secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange while maintaining its primary listing on the Nigerian Exchange. If completed, the move could increase international investor participation in one of Africa’s largest industrial companies.

Beyond attracting African capital, London is also encouraging British firms to expand into African markets. Through the Mayor’s trade and investment agency, London & Partners, several UK companies have entered African markets, particularly Nigeria, in sectors ranging from technology to social enterprise.

The summit reflects a broader global competition for African investment and business partnerships. As countries and financial centres seek new growth opportunities amid slowing economic expansion in traditional markets, Africa’s youthful population, rapid urbanisation and digital transformation are making the continent increasingly attractive.

For Nigeria, which remains one of Africa’s largest economies and hosts one of the UK’s biggest African diaspora communities, the growing London-Africa partnership could create additional opportunities for investment, technology transfer, job creation and access to international capital.

The significance of the summit extends beyond the £30 million already invested. It signals London’s intention to secure a larger share of Africa’s future growth story at a time when global financial centres are competing aggressively to attract African businesses and capital.

With African companies seeking global expansion and international investors searching for new growth markets, the London-Africa Business Summit may mark the beginning of a deeper and more strategic economic partnership between both regions.