Scotland London Africa Week 2025 concluded this week with strong momentum, high-level engagement, and praise from delegates describing the programme as energising, insightful, and productive. Bringing together leaders from Scotland, London, and Africa, the week offered a platform for practical discussions, fresh collaboration opportunities, and strategic insights into UK-Africa trade and investment.
The event kicked off at Old Admiralty House with a strategic briefing by the UK Department for Business and Trade’s Africa team. Delegates were introduced to the UK Government’s 10-year industrial strategy and its eight priority growth sectors. Discussions focused on trade agreements, skills development, planning reform, and partnerships that target key economic opportunities. Officials highlighted 130 projects delivered through the Ricardo Fund, updates on the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy, the ETIP initiative in Nigeria, and the SACUM tariff review.
Ben Ainsley provided an in-depth overview of major African markets, underscoring Africa’s growing global economic influence. His briefing covered Egypt, South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria, noting that Africa will host nearly 30% of the world’s population by 2050.
A lively roundtable followed, with delegates discussing finance, clean energy, supply chains, and food security. This was followed by a session at Marlborough House, hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat, where the South African Chamber of Commerce UK provided insights into South Africa’s robust trade relationship with the UK, spanning multiple sectors where Scottish businesses are active. The day concluded with an informal dinner fostering networking and new business connections.
On the second day, delegates visited the Egyptian Bureau for Cultural & Educational Affairs, receiving detailed insight into Egypt’s trade and investment landscape from Minister Plenipotentiary Wael Abdelraheem and the Egyptian British Chamber of Commerce. Delegates also gained practical guidance on international trade documentation and visa requirements, followed by a networking lunch hosted by the National Bank of Egypt UK.
The afternoon session moved to the Embassy of Ethiopia, where a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony preceded a briefing on investment opportunities in Ethiopia’s growing economy. With a population of over 120 million, Ethiopia is actively promoting sectors such as agribusiness and agro-processing, including crop production, dairy, meat, cereals, and packaging, alongside integrated agro-industrial park developments that invite foreign investment in machinery, processing equipment, cold storage, and supply chain infrastructure.
One of the week’s highlights took place at Dover House, hosted by the Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP. The event welcomed over 60 dignitaries, industry leaders, and business representatives from Scotland, London, and Africa. Anna Macmillan of the Scotland Office delivered the keynote, with Ebury and Diageo supporting the event. Delegates enjoyed Diageo’s curated whisky cocktails and heard from Ebury on the critical role of global trade in business resilience and growth.
The final day focused on women in trade at Scotland House, where the Scotland-Africa Women in Business event brought together global speakers and participants from the Women in Trade Hub. Delegates explored strategies to close the Scottish Government’s Gender Export Gap and discussed practical approaches to accelerate women’s participation in international trade.
Frazer Lang, CEO of the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA), highlighted the week’s achievements, saying, “This year’s Scotland London Africa Week has delivered a real sense of purpose and progress. The depth of engagement from partners across government and industry has been outstanding, and the enthusiasm from our delegates shows the immense potential for Scotland and Africa to grow together.”
Seona Shand, COO of SABA, added, “The discussions this week were refreshing, honest, and ambitious. Delegates left motivated and better connected, with clear opportunities for practical, long-term partnerships across African markets.”
Scotland London Africa Week 2025 demonstrated the transformative impact of direct engagement, knowledge sharing, and international collaboration. The event reinforced Scotland’s commitment to deepening economic ties with African markets and highlighted the pivotal role of SABA in facilitating sustainable UK-Africa trade and investment.
