London Mayor Sadiq Khan has begun a five-day trip to Africa by meeting key figures in Nigeria’s arts and culture sector and “Nollywood” film industry.
He is the first London mayor to lead a trade mission to Africa and after Lagos will head to Accra in Ghana and then on to Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa.
He attended a Lagos Canvas event, featuring live music, fashion and art – and announced plans for a London edition of the showcase to be held later this year.
The Lagos Canvas event was organised with Mo Abudu, a London-born “media powerhouse” in Nigeria, and brought together people from Nollywood, the Afrobeat music scene, fashion and entertainment.
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Sir Sadiq has been joined by 27 London-based firms hoping to looking to grow their business and access opportunities.
Sir Sadiq is also due to attend a flagship tech event hosted by London & Partners, where he will encourage Nigerian tech businesses to invest in London.
Nigeria is the eighth most common country of birth for Londoners, with Nigerians among the top 10 fastest growing populations in London.
In May, London hosted the Unity Cup, an international football tournament, which saw Ghana lose to Nigeria 2-1 in a semi-final at Brentford’s stadium.
Nollywood the second largest global film industry in terms of production.
Sir Sadiq said: “London and Lagos are two of the most culturally dynamic cities in the world, 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.
“That’s why I’m delighted to join with the very best of Lagos’s art and entertainment business. 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, chief executive of EbonyLife Group, said: “We are truly delighted to be co-hosting this special evening alongside the Mayor of London.
“With Canvas Lagos, we are building bridges between Lagos and London — two vibrant cities bound by innovation, resilience, and an abundance of creative talent.”
Sir Sadiq flew to Africa – flying economy class from Heathrow – after attending the Wimbledon men’s final on Sunday alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales and the King of Spain.
Sir Sadiq, a keen amateur tennis player, watched from the royal box, accompanied by his wife Saadiya, as Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in four sets to become the first Italian men’s champion.
City Hall said the plan was to hold Lagos Canvas at EbonyLife Place London around Christmas.
EbonyLife Place London, which is set to open on Wandsworth Road, will be a cultural hub celebrating African creativity through film, fashion, art, music, theatre and food.
When it opens, it will feature the UK’s first cinema dedicated to African films, alongside live performances, exhibitions, fashion retail, a Nigerian restaurant, and masterclasses.
In Accra, the mayor will deliver a speech on innovation and entrepreneurship to students at the University of Ghana, hosted by Imperial College London.
Imperial is the first UK university to have a permanent base solely focused on science and technology in Africa.
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In Johannesburg, Sir Sadiq will commemorate Mandela Day – an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on his July 18 birthday.
Last year the mayor provided funding to support the first cultural centre and museum dedicated to the history of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in Britain.
In Cape Town , Sir Sadiq will attend London & Partners’ London x Cape Town Tech Summit and will also take part in events marking the role sport can play in supporting communities, both in London and in Africa.
“Over the next decade there are huge opportunities to deepen partnerships with London,” Sir Sadiq 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.
“Londoners of African heritage have played, and continue to play, a huge role in making London the greatest city in the world, and this trip is an opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage, history and culture.”
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.”
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