The United Kingdom has strengthened its support for Nigerian and African technology businesses, facilitating investor connections, strategic partnerships and policy engagements aimed at helping start-ups attract funding, expand internationally and compete in the global market.
The commitment was highlighted at Moonshot by TechCabal 2026, Africa’s flagship technology and innovation gathering, held in Lagos under the theme, “Courage & Conviction: Building for a New World.”
The UK, through its various development and trade initiatives, engaged founders, investors, policymakers and business leaders during the week-long event, showcasing opportunities for African businesses to access investment, expertise and international markets.
Ahead of the conference, the UK supported the TECA Demo and Pitch Days, delivered by BFA Global through UK-funded FSD Africa, where Nigerian innovators presented solutions to real-world challenges while high-potential entrepreneurs pitched investment-ready businesses to investors and ecosystem leaders.
Through the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, the British government also supported the Magna Investor Connection Drive, which brought together 25 vetted founders and 15 active investors for curated, pre-matched meetings designed to facilitate investment, business growth and strategic partnerships.
A major highlight of the UK’s participation was the engagement of His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, Alastair Long, alongside other British representatives, with founders, investors and ecosystem leaders to explore opportunities for building globally competitive businesses across the continent.
Discussions focused on scaling innovation, attracting investment, accessing international markets and strengthening the conditions required for African businesses to compete globally.
The engagements also advanced conversations around digital trade, access to finance, climate resilience and innovation-led growth, while encouraging partnerships capable of supporting sustainable economic development.
In a related development, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, hosted founders, investors and ecosystem leaders at a reception ahead of the African Prosperity Summit 2026, organised by Venture Platform.
The gathering examined how innovation, investment and stronger partnerships could accelerate economic growth across Africa.
The UK also highlighted opportunities available to high-growth businesses through its network of investors, institutions and programmes, including the Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP), which supports ambitious international companies seeking to establish headquarters or research and development operations in the United Kingdom.
Speaking on the UK’s engagement, Country Director of the UK-Nigeria Technology Hub at the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, Oyinkan Akinola-Bello, said Nigeria remained home to some of Africa’s most innovative and ambitious entrepreneurs.
She said the UK’s partnerships with founders, investors, policymakers and ecosystem builders were aimed at creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow, attract investment and access international opportunities.
“Nigeria is home to some of Africa’s most innovative and ambitious entrepreneurs. Through our partnerships with founders, investors, policymakers and ecosystem builders, we are helping create the conditions businesses need to grow, attract investment and access international opportunities,” she said.
Akinola-Bello reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting innovation and enterprise, expressing optimism that more Nigerian businesses would successfully expand their operations, establish global connections and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
She added that the lasting impact of the engagements would be measured by the partnerships, investments and opportunities generated beyond the conference.
The UK’s participation at Moonshot 2026 forms part of its broader efforts to strengthen commercial relations between Nigeria and the UK, promote entrepreneurship and connect African businesses with the investment, expertise and international partnerships required to scale operations, create jobs and deliver shared prosperity.
