London Mayor Sadiq Khan has arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, as part of a five-day trade mission to Africa, marking the first-ever mayoral trade mission to the continent.
Gatekeepers News reports that Khan described Lagos as “Africa’s economic powerhouse and cultural capital,” highlighting the city’s thriving markets, booming startups, Nollywood, and Afrobeats.
During his visit, Khan attended Lagos Canvas, a creative showcase co-hosted by EbonyLife CEO Mo Abudu, which brought together top players in Nigeria’s entertainment and creative sectors. He noted that Nigeria’s creative sector contributes approximately $5.6 billion to the country’s GDP, making it the nation’s second-largest employer. Khan expressed his desire for London to be part of Nigeria’s journey to reach its goal of generating $100 billion from the creative sector by 2030.
Khan emphasized the potential benefits of collaboration between London and Lagos, saying, “By working together to showcase our creativity, develop new partnerships, and learn from each other, we can drive our economies forward, unite our communities, and inspire young people.” He also acknowledged the growing influence of Nigerian culture in the UK, citing the rise of Afrobeats and Burna Boy’s record-setting stadium performance in 2023.
Khan’s visit is part of ongoing efforts by London to deepen economic and cultural ties with cities across Africa, with stops in Accra, Ghana, and Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa, scheduled in the coming days.
