Nigerian-born UK Minister for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch has arrived Nigeria for a 3-day visit to strengthen the UK-Nigeria partnership.
A statement released by Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer and Comms Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, Ndidiamaka Eze, disclosed that Badenoch’s visit will take forward, ongoing efforts by both countries to boost the UK-Nigeria trade relations and unlock new investment opportunities.
Badenoch was appointed Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade on February 7, 2023.
She remains Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade which she was appointed to on 6 September 2022, and Minister for Women and Equalities for the Equality Hub, which she was appointed to on 25 October 2022.
According to the statement, “Minister Kemi Badenoch and the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Helen Grant will have meetings with the Federal Government of Nigeria, State Governors as well as British and Nigerian business leaders and investors.
“Through these meetings, she will explore current and potential investment and trade activities from education to infrastructure and energy projects, with a potential to create thousands of jobs.
“Minister Badenoch will look to further strengthen the UK-Nigeria partnership, remove barriers to trade and investment, grow business between the two countries, and ensure the City of London’s enabling role for international business is more accessible to Nigeria.”
Speaking on her visit to Nigeria, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery said: “Nigeria is one of the UK’s most important partners in Africa. We are committed to helping Nigeria unlock new investments opportunities, supporting more UK and international investment through the City of London, and thereby creating jobs in both our countries.
“Recent big and bold reforms by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Central Bank are boosting optimism amongst international investors that the country is on the right path and are creating the conditions for growth.”