By Chinenye Anuforo

Lagos State Government and the City of London have officially partnered to boost technological innovation and strengthen collaboration between these two  global cities.

This development was announced by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, during a Tech Summit organized by London & Partners in Lagos on Tuesday. The summit,  the first London trade mission to Nigeria themed, “Bridging Borders: How London and Lagos Can Shape the Future of Global Technology,” showed the shared vision of leveraging each city’s unique strengths to drive global digital transformation.

Mayor Khan Praised Lagos as a remarkable city, stating that London is the tech capital of Europe, and Lagos is the tech capital of Africa. “Notably, the vast majority of Africa’s unicorns are based in Lagos, while London boasts over 120 unicorns.”

He also pointed to London’s significant African diaspora, particularly the over 150,000 individuals of Nigerian origin, as a secret weapon for boosting deeper collaboration between London and African nations. He encouraged Nigerian businesses and talent to capitalize on these connections and consider London for expansion, emphasizing the city’s familiarity and welcoming environment.

Olatubosun Alake, the Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, advocated for the creation of a robust London-Lagos innovation corridor. He described both cities as capitals of creativity, commerce, and a fair amount of confluence, acknowledging Lagos’s raw innovation often born from everyday challenges like frequent power cuts and traffic. Alake stressed the need to build connections stronger than broadband, envisioning a partnership where London, a global financial hub, meets Lagos, Africa’s leading technology heart.

The Commissioner  asserted that this partnership extends beyond mere financial gain, focusing on collectively shaping the future of global technology. “Nigerian startups are building global creative solutions with excellence, proving that billion-dollar companies can be built from local contexts,” he stated.

He added that the collaboration aims to advance digital finance, promote ethical data practices, and establish a global South and North Tech highway, with London and Lagos serving as pivotal anchor points. Alake cited examples of successful collaborations, such as UK startups partnering with Nigerian companies like Moniepoint, which is testing FinTech models in dynamic environments where user feedback proves invaluable. He further highlighted the Lagos State Government’s initiatives, including deploying over 4,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, establishing tech hubs in underserved communities, and promoting STEM education for girls.

“We are sending an open invitation to co-invest, co-build, and co-lead with forward-thinking governments,” Alake declared, warning that failure to collaborate will make us see the next global unicorn coming from Kigali if action is delayed by regulatory debates.

He urged Nigerian tech leaders to scale through alliances, reminding them that two percent of something is usually better than 100 percent of something else. He concluded by stating that “true bridges are built when Nigerian spirit meets London structure, British capital meets Nigerian creativity, and when all parties stop waiting for permission.”

Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, affirmed the mission’s objective: “This trade mission is a huge opportunity to promote cross-ecosystem innovation, trade, and investment between Lagos and London. We are here to support London-based companies looking to expand into the Nigerian markets and showcase London as a leading global city for African business expansion as well.”

Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founding Partner of Future Africa, observed that Lagos, much like London, is “a melting pot of global talent with a rich history of creativity, commerce, and innovation.” He expressed optimism that the visit would ignite a new transatlantic partnership set to transform global innovation.

British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, underscored the broader significance of the visit: “The Mayor of London’s visit underscores the UK Government’s commitment to strengthening economic and cultural ties with Nigeria. From trade to FinTech and fashion, our collaboration is driving innovation and growth. Through the UK-Nigeria enhanced trade and investment partnership, we are committed to unlocking new opportunities that benefit both our economies, and this visit is a powerful step forward in that journey of inclusive growth “.