UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Florence Eshalomi MP, alongside the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR, yesterday in Lagos.
By Janefrances Chibuzor
The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth and global integration as the UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Florence Eshalomi MP, wrapped up a four-day visit that placed trade, investment, and innovation at the heart of discussions between both nations. Her mission, which came with the backing of senior officials from the UK Department for Business and Trade, has been described by stakeholders as one of the most strategic engagements yet under the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP).
Arriving with Ceri Smith, Director-General for Investment at the UK Department for Business and Trade, and His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner to Africa, Ben Ainsley, the Trade Envoy embarked on a series of high-level engagements with ministers, private sector leaders, and tech innovators in Lagos and Abuja. The tone was consistent throughout—Britain is eager to position itself as Nigeria’s enduring partner in driving inclusive prosperity through stronger commercial ties.
The highlight of the visit was the ETIP Business Dialogue, co-hosted with the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. The event attracted an impressive mix of UK and Nigerian business leaders, who deliberated on issues such as non-tariff barriers, investment bottlenecks, and regulatory gaps. According to participants, the dialogue was not merely another diplomatic exchange but one that produced actionable commitments designed to improve Nigeria’s business environment.
Agriculture featured prominently in the envoy’s itinerary, with the announcement of a new British International Investment (BII) commitment. The UK’s development finance institution revealed a fresh $7.5 million investment in Babban Gona, a leading Nigerian agricultural enterprise known for empowering smallholder farmers. The injection of funds is expected to boost food security, enhance job creation, and strengthen resilience across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. For Florence Eshalomi, this was a practical example of how British support is creating impact beyond boardrooms, directly touching the lives of Nigerians in rural communities.
The envoy also paid considerable attention to Nigeria’s burgeoning financial services sector. She held meetings with top executives from LemFi, Interswitch, and Zenith Bank, where discussions focused on fintech partnerships, cross-border transactions, and capital market access. Of particular note was the emphasis on positioning Nigerian companies for Initial Public Offerings on the London Stock Exchange, a move that could open global funding opportunities for local firms. The talks, according to officials, underscored the UK’s willingness to leverage its financial ecosystem to support Nigerian businesses aiming for international expansion.
In a press briefing, Florence Eshalomi spoke with optimism about the outcomes of her visit. “Nigeria is a powerhouse of innovation and enterprise, and the UK is proud to be a strategic partner in its growth journey. 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,” she said.
Beyond finance and agriculture, the visit shone a spotlight on Nigeria’s tech ecosystem. At a Tech Roundtable, Eshalomi introduced startup founders to the UK’s Global Entrepreneurs Programme, which offers support and networks for companies with ambitions to scale internationally. DBT officials who attended provided insights into the UK’s investment landscape, encouraging Nigerian innovators to take advantage of opportunities for growth, mentorship, and even future listings on international markets.
The envoy’s final public engagement came at GITEX Nigeria 2025, where the UK mounted a strong presence. Florence Eshalomi moderated one of the most anticipated sessions at the exhibition, titled “Nigeria’s Fintech Revolution: From Local Champions to Global Contenders.” The panel featured representatives of Kuda Bank and PiggyVest, two fintech leaders whose success stories have already crossed Nigeria’s borders. With the backing of initiatives such as the Global Entrepreneurs Programme, both firms have set their sights on global expansion, representing the kind of innovation Britain is keen to support.
Observers noted that by the conclusion of the four-day mission, the envoy had not only strengthened the diplomatic fabric of UK-Nigeria relations but also initiated practical economic outcomes. The dialogues with government, the fresh agricultural investment, and the platforms for fintech and tech innovators all combined to illustrate a deepening partnership that goes beyond rhetoric.
For Nigeria, the visit aligns neatly with its ongoing efforts to diversify the economy away from oil dependence and tap into the growth potential of sectors like technology, agriculture, and manufacturing. For Britain, the relationship provides a gateway into Africa’s largest economy and a chance to cement trade links in a fast-growing market.
As Florence Eshalomi departed, the prevailing sentiment among Nigerian and British stakeholders was that the partnership has entered a new phase—one defined less by diplomatic pleasantries and more by concrete action. With commitments made, opportunities unlocked, and entrepreneurs connected to global platforms, the visit has laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and mutually rewarding economic future for both nations.
