President Buhari For UK-Africa Investment Summit In London
- Departs Abuja Friday
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to depart Abuja on Friday for London to participate in the inaugural UK-Africa Investment Summit holding on Monday, January 20, 2020.
According to the organisers, the event, to be hosted by the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will bring together African leaders, international business chief executives and heads of international organisations.
The forum is expected “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.
A statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, said 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 slated to dominate presentations and discussions during the Summit.
Adesina stated that 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.
He said the summit will in addition 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 Presidential Spokesman further explained that the Nigerian delegation to this investment summit will further showcase what the Federal Government has done through policies and legislations to improve the investment and business climate in the country.
Adesina also said while in the United Kingdom, President Buhari will hold a meeting with the Head of the Commonwealth, Prince Charles in Glasgow, Scotland.
Similarly, the Nigerian Leader President and his delegation will also have bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Johnson as well as heads of multilateral organisations.
On the President’s entourage to the Summit will be Governors Yahaya Bello, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya and Okezie Ikpeazu of Kogi, Gombe and Abia States respectively.
Also to accompany the presidential are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd); and the Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
After the summit, President Buhari is expected back in Abuja next Thursday, January 23, 2020
