As the maiden UK-Africa summit begins on Monday, January 20th, 2020, in London, about 70 Nigerian companies will participate at the event.
Harriet Thompson, Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lagos Consulate, disclosed at the January 2020 Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting. According to her, the summit which will be hosted by the UK Prime Minister Mr. Boris Johnson will also have in attendance over 20 Heads of State from Africa.
She informed stakeholders that the summit would serve as an opportunity to deepen the Anglo-African trade level which needs significant improvement. The summit would be the first major UK high-level engagement in the year 2020 and comes at a crucial time as it prepares for “BREXIT” by January 31st, 2020.
Harriet Thompson was hopeful that Nigeria would be able to make its pitch to British investors at the forum and attract new investments.
The UK Diplomat said for Nigeria to achieve its target of uplifting millions of people from poverty; the private sector has to grow and play a major role in the economy. She believed Nigeria had the opportunity to mobilize investments into areas like Infrastructure, agri-business, energy and technology that can unlock the economy and create more jobs in the country.
Through the summit, the UK seeks to sustain its goal as the biggest G-7 investor in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Nigerian delegation is led by President Muhammadu Buhari, who travelled with some State Governors and will be accompanied by key ministers.
