UK foreign secretary to visit Nigeria ‘to strengthen partnership’

James Cleverly, foreign secretary of the United Kingdom, will visit Nigeria on Tuesday to discuss stronger partnerships between both countries.

Cleverly’s visit is part of a four-day trip to Africa which he began on Monday.

The UK government said the foreign secretary arrived in Ghana to pledge a £40 million boost for the country’s businesses.

The foreign, commonwealth, and development office added that Cleverly also launched a £3.9 million UK programme to tackle illicit flows of illegal gold and the social, environmental and economic harms the trade causes both in Ghana and in the UK.

During his visit to Nigeria, the foreign minister will meet with key government officials to discuss positive future of partnerships.

The aim of the visit is to drive economic growth, trade and investment opportunities.

Cleverly will conclude his tour when he visits Zambia on Thursday.

“I want the UK to be increasingly driving future-focussed, mutually beneficial partnerships with African countries operating in the world’s largest free trade area,” the foreign minister said.

“From investments in clean energy to companies turning waste products into fashion items, there is so much potential for economic growth across Africa.”

This is Cleverly’s third visit to Africa since his appointment. 

In 2022 he visited Kenya and Ethiopia, and in March 2023, he visited Sierra Leone