The Lagos State Government and the City of London have officially launched a groundbreaking partnership aimed at fostering technological innovation and strengthening ties between two of the world’s most dynamic cities.

The announcement was made during a Tech Summit held in Lagos on Tuesday, hosted by London & Partners. The event marked London’s first official trade mission to Nigeria, reflecting growing interest in cross-border tech collaboration.

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With the theme “Bridging Borders: How London and Lagos Can Shape the Future of Global Technology,” the summit brought together key stakeholders from government, business, and the tech ecosystem.

Speaking at the event, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan described Lagos as “Africa’s tech capital,” comparing it to London’s status as Europe’s leading tech hub.

“London is Europe’s tech capital; Lagos is Africa’s. Most African unicorns are in Lagos, while London has over 120 unicorns,” Khan stated.

He highlighted the role of the African diaspora in London, noting that over 150,000 people of Nigerian descent live in the UK capital — a key bridge for deeper business and cultural ties.

Khan urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to see London as a welcoming gateway for global expansion, especially in tech, finance, and innovation.

Olatubosun Alake, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, emphasized the need to build a “London-Lagos innovation corridor.” He stressed that both cities are vibrant centers of creativity and commerce, despite Lagos’s infrastructural challenges.

• “This partnership is not just about profit; it’s about shaping the future,” Alake said. “True innovation comes when Lagos energy meets London’s structure.”

He noted Lagos’s strategic investments in over 4,000km of fiber optic cable, girls’ STEM education, and community tech hubs, all designed to lay the groundwork for inclusive growth.

Alake cited the example of Moneypoint, a fintech firm that successfully tested financial solutions in Nigeria’s complex market, proof that global innovation can thrive in local realities.

He also warned that unnecessary regulatory delays could cost Nigeria the opportunity to birth the next unicorn, saying, “The next big idea might emerge from Kigali if we’re not ready.”

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Howard Dawber, London’s Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, said the mission reflects London’s commitment to helping UK businesses expand into Nigeria and position the UK as a launchpad for African innovation.

Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founding Partner of Future Africa, echoed that sentiment, calling both Lagos and London “global melting pots of creativity.” He expressed hope that the visit would lead to long-term tech collaborations.

British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, described the summit as a milestone in UK-Nigeria trade relations, with a shared goal of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

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