Dipo Olowookere
By Dipo Olowookere
President Muhammadu Buhari has concluded plans to have bilateral meetings with British Prime Minister, Mr Boris Johnson, in the United Kingdom.
The Nigerian leader will be in London to participate in the inaugural UK-Africa Investment Summit holding on Monday, January 20, 2020, a statement from one of his media aides, Mr Femi Adesina, said on Wednesday.
He is expected to depart Abuja on Friday for London for the event hosted by the Prime Minister and return to the country next Thursday after holding series of meetings while in the UK.
It was stated that President Buhari will be accompanied to the summit by Governors Yahaya Bello, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya and Okezie Ikpeazu of Kogi, Gombe and Abia States respectively.
Also on the presidential entourage are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Niyi Adebayo; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed; National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Babagana Monguno; and the Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
The summit is expected to bring together African leaders, international business chief executives and heads of international organisations “to create new partnerships that will deliver more investments and jobs” to the benefit of people and businesses in African countries and the United Kingdom.
Apart from highlighting new perspectives on UK-Africa Partnership for Prosperity, issues of Sustainable Finance and Infrastructure; Trade and Investment; Future African Growth Sectors and Clean Energy and Climate, are expected to dominate presentations and discussions during the Summit.
With the expected take-off of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in mid-2020, the London investment summit will provide Nigeria with the opportunity to project itself as a leading investment destination for new industries.
In addition, the summit will deepen Nigeria-United Kingdom investment ties post-Brexit given that Africa currently represents just two per cent of British trade activity, with Nigeria accounting for only 10 per cent of that total.
The Nigerian delegation to the investment meeting will further showcase what the Federal Government has done through policies and legislations to improve the investment and business climate in the country.
While in the United Kingdom, President Buhari will hold a meeting with the Head of the Commonwealth, Prince Charles in Glasgow, Scotland.
