London will host its first UK-Africa Business Summit in 2026, a major move to deepen trade and investment relations with African nations.
The announcement came from London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said the summit would help position London as a key global center for African businesses and investors.
Scheduled for next year, the summit will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, government officials, stock exchanges, and business networks from across Africa.
Organizers say the event is designed to promote London as a launchpad for African companies aiming to expand their global reach, DNE Africa reported.
The initiative is supported by data from London & Partners, the capital’s official promotional agency, which estimates that UK-Africa trade could reach £62 billion by 2030.
This projection is based on figures from the Office for National Statistics and the International Monetary Fund.
The report also points to a 40% growth in Africa’s tech ecosystem since 2019 and identifies Lagos as the leading emerging tech hub in the world.
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London has consistently attracted African foreign direct investment, maintaining its status as the top European city for such projects since 2013, with 72 African-led investment projects recorded.
Globally, outside of Africa, London ranks second for attracting investment from the continent.
Mayor Khan recently returned from a trade mission to major African cities including Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.
During the trip, he engaged with government officials and private sector leaders to explore new opportunities for collaboration.
He was joined by a group of 27 London-based companies seeking to expand their operations into African markets.
“London is uniquely positioned to benefit from Africa’s fast-growing economies, whether through tech startups or financial services,” Khan said.
“This summit is a key part of our international strategy and will help generate thousands of high-quality jobs in the coming years.”
The event is expected to be a milestone in UK-Africa relations, coming at a time when both sides are actively looking to diversify their economic partnerships.
Organizers say the summit will help increase bilateral trade and reinforce London’s position as a leading gateway for global investment into Africa’s innovation economy.
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Image Credit: Hult International Business School
