The UK Minister for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, has arrived in Nigeria for a three-day visit to deepen the UK-Nigeria partnership and unlock new investment opportunities.
Badenoch, the Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, will hold meetings with the Federal Government, State Governors, and British and Nigerian business leaders and investors.
She will explore current and potential investment and trade activities from education to infrastructure and energy projects, which have the potential to create thousands of jobs and contribute to economic growth in both countries.
She will also advocate for policies that facilitate smoother business operations between the UK and Nigeria and make the City of London’s financial expertise more accessible to Nigerian businesses.
Badenoch, born in Nigeria, said she was delighted to be back in her country of birth to strengthen the economic ties between the two nations.
“Nigeria is one of the UK’s most important partners in Africa. We share a long history, a common language, and a commitment to democracy and the rule of law. We also have a vibrant and growing trade and investment relationship, which I am keen to develop further,” she said.
She added that the UK was committed to supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and helping Nigeria unlock its full potential as a regional and global leader.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, said the visit was a testament to the UK’s commitment to Nigeria and its strategic importance as a partner in Africa.
He said the recent economic reforms the Nigerian government and the Central Bank implemented had boosted optimism among international investors and created the conditions for growth.
He said the UK was ready to work with Nigeria to remove barriers to trade and investment, grow business between the two countries, and ensure the City of London’s enabling role for international business.
The visit follows the former Foreign Secretary’s visit to Nigeria in August 2023 and last week’s UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Talks, showcasing a multi-pronged approach to deepen UK-Nigeria relations.
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