London will host its first UK-Africa Business Summit in 2026, in a strategic push to enhance trade and investment ties with the African continent. The announcement was made by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said the summit would position the British capital as a global hub for African businesses and investors.
Set to take place next year, the summit aims to bring together African entrepreneurs, investors, government representatives, stock exchanges, and business networks from across the continent. Organisers say the event will promote London as a springboard for African companies looking to expand internationally.
The initiative is backed by data from London & Partners, the city’s official promotional agency, which projects that trade between the UK and Africa could reach £62 billion by 2030. The report, based on data from the Office for National Statistics and the IMF, highlights the rapid growth of Africa’s tech ecosystem—up 40% since 2019—and names Lagos as the world’s top emerging tech hub.
London Builds Momentum as Gateway for African Investment
London has long positioned itself as a key destination for African capital. Since 2013, it has remained the leading European city for African foreign direct investment, attracting 72 African-led investment projects. It is also ranked second globally among cities outside Africa in attracting such investment.
Mayor Khan recently returned from a high-profile trade mission to African capitals including Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg and Cape Town, where he met with local officials and private sector leaders. The visit, he said, was aimed at “building stronger bridges” with the continent and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
He was accompanied by a delegation of 27 London-based companies looking to grow in 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 summit is expected to mark a turning point in UK-Africa relations, at a time when both sides are seeking to diversify economic partnerships. Organisers say it will not only boost bilateral trade but also strengthen London’s role as a platform for global investment into Africa’s innovation economy.
