London Mayor Sadiq Khan has kicked off a landmark five-day visit to Africa, becoming the first London mayor to lead a trade mission to the continent. His trip, which began in Lagos, Nigeria, highlights the growing importance of deepening connections between London and Africa’s thriving creative and tech sectors.
The mayor’s visit started with the Lagos Canvas event, a vibrant celebration of Nigeria’s rich culture, featuring live music, fashion showcases, and contemporary art. The event was co-hosted by Mo Abudu, the London born media powerhouse and CEO of EbonyLife Group, whose work has helped Nollywood become the second largest film industry in the world in terms of production.
Speaking at the event, Khan described London and Lagos as “two of the most culturally dynamic cities in the world,” adding, “with our music, film, fashion, design, and digital creativity leading the way.”
“I’m proud that across both capitals you can feel the influence of our long standing and deeply rooted connection, and as both of our creative industries thrive, I want to see even closer collaboration,” Khan said. “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.”
Mo Abudu echoed his remarks, saying, “With Canvas Lagos, we are building bridges between Lagos and London, two vibrant cities bound by innovation, resilience, and an abundance of creative talent.”
Khan announced that a London edition of Lagos Canvas will take place later this year at EbonyLife Place London, a new cultural hub set to open on Wandsworth Road. Once open, EbonyLife Place London will feature the UK’s first cinema dedicated to African films, alongside live performances, exhibitions, retail spaces for African fashion, a Nigerian restaurant, and masterclasses in art and film production. City Hall confirmed that the aim is to hold the London showcase around Christmas, providing a platform for Nigerian and African artists to reach wider UK audiences.
The mayor is joined on this mission by a delegation of 27 London based firms looking to expand their business connections and access new opportunities in Africa’s booming creative, tech, and finance sectors.
Beyond the arts, Khan is also promoting London as an investment destination for African entrepreneurs. He is expected to attend a flagship tech event hosted by London & Partners in Lagos, where he will encourage Nigerian startups to explore opportunities in the UK capital.
Nigeria is now the eighth most common country of birth for Londoners, with Nigerians among the fastest growing communities in the city. Last May, the Unity Cup, an international football tournament, celebrated this connection when Nigeria defeated Ghana in a semi final at Brentford’s stadium.
Khan’s Africa tour continues with stops in Accra, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. In Accra, he will deliver a keynote address on innovation and entrepreneurship to students at the University of Ghana, an event hosted by Imperial College London, which became the first UK university to establish a permanent science and technology base focused solely on Africa.
In Johannesburg, the mayor will mark Mandela Day, the international day that honours Nelson Mandela’s legacy on his July 18 birthday. Khan previously funded Britain’s first cultural centre and museum dedicated to the history of the Anti Apartheid Movement, recognising the deep connections between London and South Africa’s struggle for freedom.
His final stop will be Cape Town, where he will attend the London x Cape Town Tech Summit and join discussions about how sport can help build stronger, healthier communities across both cities.
“Over the next decade there are huge opportunities to deepen partnerships with London,” Khan said. “I will be working tirelessly throughout this visit to drive trade and investment across critical sectors including finance, education, health, tech, creative, and sustainability.”
Laura Citron, chief executive of London & Partners, said, “Markets like Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya offer real opportunities for growth. These trade missions focus on building strong partnerships between London and some of the most important emerging business hubs in the region.”
For the mayor, the trip is not only about business, it is also a celebration of the enduring links between London and Africa. “Londoners of African heritage have played, and continue to play, a huge role in making London the greatest city in the world,” Khan said. “This trip is an opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage, history, and culture.