Investments: UK Trade Envoy in Nigeria, strengthens economic ties with stakeholders

*Florence Eshalomi MP, United Kingdom Trade Envoy to Nigeria rounds off a successful four-day visit, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to deepening bilateral trade and investment relations with the West African country

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Florence Eshalomi MP, United Kingdom (UK) Trade Envoy to Nigeria, has concluded a successful four-day visit, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to deepening bilateral trade and investment relations with the West African country.

The visit marked a significant step forward in the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), with a focus on unlocking new opportunities across FinTech, manufacturing and agriculture.

Joined by the Director-General for Investment at the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Ceri Smith, and His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner to Africa, Ben Ainsley, Eshalomi MP engaged in high-level meetings and strategic dialogues aimed at fostering collaboration and driving inclusive economic growth during her visit.

As part of the visit, she also co-hosted the ETIP Business Dialogue alongside Mr. Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI).

The dialogue brought together UK and Nigerian business leaders to identify and address non-tariff barriers, with actionable outcomes set to inform ongoing efforts at improving the business environment and support sustainable development in the country.

On impact of British International Investment

Speaking at the media briefing, the Trade Envoy delivered a keynote address highlighting British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, and its latest $7.5 million investment in Babban Gona, a leading Nigerian agricultural enterprise.

The UK said the strategic investment underscored the country’s role in supporting food security, creating jobs, and strengthening economic resilience within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Besides, key bilateral meetings with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and senior executives from LemFi, Interswitch and Zenith Bank Plc, as well focused on expanding financial sector ties, while exploring opportunities for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and Capital market engagement via the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

Eshalomi: Nigeria, a powerhouse of innovation and enterprise

In regard to her four-day visit to Nigeria, Eshalomi said: “Nigeria is a powerhouse of innovation and enterprise, and the UK is proud to be a strategic partner in its growth journey.

Ndidiamaka Eze, Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer at FCDO/BHC Nigeria, Thursday, also stated the UK Trade Envoy said: “This visit has deepened our commercial ties and opened new doors for collaboration across sectors that matter most to our shared prosperity – from FinTech and agriculture to manufacturing.

“We are committed to supporting Nigerian businesses as they scale globally and to ensuring our partnership delivers real, inclusive impact.”

In support of Nigeria’s growing technology ecosystem, she further participated in the Tech Roundtable, introducing Nigerian tech founders to the UK’s Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP).

The session featured insights from DBT leadership, showcasing the UK’s investment landscape and its support for future IPOs.

The visit concluded in a strong UK presence at GITEX Nigeria 2025, where Florence Eshalomi MP moderated a panel, titled: “Nigeria’s FinTech Revolution: From Local Champions to Global Contenders”.

The session featured Kuda Bank and PiggyVest – two Nigerian FinTech leaders scaling globally with support from the UK’s GEP.