The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, presently in Lagos as part of a trade mission to Africa, has named the bubbly city the continent’s cultural capital.
Mr Khan, who presides over the Greater London Authority (GLA) and is responsible for the strategic governance of Greater London, is presently leading the first trade mission to Africa by a London Mayor.
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In an op-ed published on City AM,’ the Mayor described Africa as the world’s most rapidly urbanising region and said the mission’s goal of forging closer ties could benefit London businesses.
“This week I’ll be visiting Africa to bang the drum for our great capital city – and to do everything I can to develop further the economic ties and cultural links that bind London and countries in Africa.
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“This is the first trade mission to Africa by a London Mayor. Over four cities and five busy days, our delegation will be working to drive trade and investment across critical sectors of our economy. From finance, health and education, to tech, sustainability and our creative industries,” he wrote.
Cultural capital
Mr Khan, who was elected the first Muslim mayor of London in 2016, announced his arrival in Lagos on X with a photograph he took beside graffiti with the inscription, ‘This is Lagos’.
He captioned it, “This is Lagos. Africa’s cultural capital – from Nollywood to Afrobeats to fashion. I’m here to deepen our cultural ties and celebrate what unites us.”
Although the comment on the post was locked, Gboyega Akosile, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, welcomed the Mayor to the state.
“Welcome to Lagos, the city of aquatic splendour and Nigeria’s economic, commercial and cultural capital. Here, we say Ekáàbò, meaning you’re welcome,” he wrote.
Growing Africa/UK trade
In June, the UK granted duty-free access to over 3,000 Nigerian products under its Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
This initiative aims to boost trade with developing countries, including Nigeria, by reducing or eliminating tariffs on a wide range of goods.
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In his article, Mr Khan noted that Africa is the world’s most rapidly urbanising region and home to the globe’s youngest and fastest-growing population.
He said the visit has huge potential for London’s businesses to reach and tap into new markets.
Despite global headwinds, the bilateral trade relationship between Africa and the UK has consistently grown over recent years.
“With trade between the UK and Africa worth £50bn in 2024, and UK exports up seven per cent year-on-year, there is a strong economic logic to us visiting Lagos in Nigeria, Accra in Ghana, and Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa.
“Today, more businesses expand into Africa from London than any other city globally, and the UK stands as one of Africa’s most significant trading partners,” he wrote.
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