September 06, (THEWILL) — The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth as UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Florence Eshalomi MP, concluded a four-day visit focused on trade, investment, and innovation.
The mission, backed by senior officials from the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), has been described by stakeholders as one of the most impactful engagements under the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP).
Eshalomi, accompanied by DBT Director-General for Investment, Ceri Smith, and His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner to Africa, Ben Ainsley, held high-level meetings with government officials, private sector leaders, and tech innovators in Lagos and Abuja.
The message throughout was clear: the UK wants to be a long-term partner in Nigeria’s drive for inclusive prosperity.
A major highlight was the ETIP Business Dialogue, co-hosted with the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
The dialogue brought together UK and Nigerian business leaders who agreed on actionable steps to tackle investment bottlenecks, regulatory hurdles, and non-tariff barriers.
Agriculture was a central theme, with British International Investment (BII) announcing a fresh $7.5m injection into Babban Gona, a Nigerian agribusiness that empowers smallholder farmers.
The investment is expected to boost food security, create jobs, and strengthen resilience across the agricultural value chain.
The envoy also engaged Nigeria’s financial sector, meeting with executives from LemFi, Interswitch, and Zenith Bank.
Talks focused on fintech growth, cross-border payments, and access to global capital markets, including opportunities for Nigerian firms to list on the London Stock Exchange.
Officials said the UK was ready to leverage its financial ecosystem to help Nigerian companies scale globally.
At a press briefing, Eshalomi described Nigeria as “a powerhouse of innovation and enterprise,” adding: “This visit has deepened our commercial ties and opened new doors for collaboration across fintech, agriculture, and manufacturing.
“We are committed to supporting Nigerian businesses as they expand globally and to ensuring our partnership delivers real, inclusive impact.”
The visit also spotlighted Nigeria’s thriving tech ecosystem.
During a Tech Roundtable, startup founders were introduced to the UK’s Global Entrepreneurs Programme, which provides mentorship and access to international markets.
At GITEX Nigeria 2025, where the UK maintained a strong presence, Eshalomi moderated a session on Nigeria’s fintech revolution featuring Kuda Bank and PiggyVest, both of which are expanding internationally.
By the close of the mission, observers noted that the envoy had not only reinforced diplomatic ties but also triggered practical outcomes, from new investments in agriculture to pathways for fintechs and startups seeking global expansion.
For Nigeria, the engagement supports efforts to diversify the economy beyond oil and harness growth in technology, agriculture, and manufacturing.
For Britain, it cements access to Africa’s largest economy and a vital trade hub.
As Eshalomi departed, both Nigerian and British stakeholders agreed that the partnership has entered a new phase, marked by concrete action, deeper collaboration, and fresh opportunities for shared prosperity.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
