By Ayomide Otitoju
Scotland London Africa Week 2025 has wrapped up with delegates praising the programme as “energising, insightful and productive,” following a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening ties between Scotland, London and key African markets.
The week opened at Old Admiralty House with a strategic briefing led by the Department for Business and Trade’s Africa team. Officials outlined the UK Government’s 10-year industrial strategy, its eight priority growth sectors, and its approach to trade agreements, skills, and planning reform. Delegates also received updates on the Ricardo Fund’s 130 completed projects, the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy, Nigeria’s ETIP, and the ongoing SACUM tariff review.
Ben Ainsley delivered an in-depth market overview, noting that Africa—expected to account for 30% of the global population by 2050—is increasingly influencing global economic trends. His briefing covered major markets including Egypt, South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria.
A robust roundtable discussion followed, with participants raising issues around finance, clean energy, supply chains and food security before moving to Marlborough House for engagements with the South African Chamber of Commerce UK. Delegates were told that South Africa remains the UK’s largest trading partner in Africa, with growing synergies across sectors important to Scottish businesses. The day concluded with an informal dinner that facilitated networking and new partnerships.
Day two began at the Egyptian Bureau for Cultural & Educational Affairs, where senior officials and the Egyptian British Chamber of Commerce provided detailed insights into Egypt’s trade and investment environment. Delegates later attended a session on international trade documentation and visa processes, followed by a networking lunch hosted by the National Bank of Egypt UK.
The delegation then visited the Embassy of Ethiopia for a traditional coffee ceremony and a comprehensive briefing from the Ambassador on opportunities in Ethiopia’s rapidly developing economy. With a population of over 120 million and a labour-rich workforce, opportunities highlighted included agribusiness, agro-processing, machinery, cold-chain infrastructure and integrated agro-industrial parks.
One of the week’s headline events took place that evening at Dover House, hosted with the permission of Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP. More than 60 dignitaries, industry leaders and business representatives attended. Anna Macmillan of the Scotland Office delivered the keynote, while partners Diageo and Ebury provided whisky cocktails and insights into the importance of global trade to business resilience.
The final day at Scotland House focused on the Scotland–Africa Women in Business forum, featuring international speakers and the Women in Trade Hub. Discussions centred on the Scottish Government’s Gender Export Gap and strategies to accelerate women’s participation in global trade.
Organisers described the week as a strong step forward in strengthening Scotland–Africa partnerships.
“This year’s Scotland London Africa Week has delivered a real sense of purpose and progress,” organisers said. “The depth of engagement across government and industry has been outstanding, and the enthusiasm from our delegates shows how much potential exists for Scotland and Africa to grow together.”
They added that discussions throughout the week were “refreshing, honest and ambitious,” and reflected a growing alignment between Scotland’s capabilities and African market priorities.
Scotland London Africa Week 2025 underscored the impact of direct engagement, shared expertise and international collaboration. With strong participation across sectors, the programme highlighted Scotland’s commitment to deepening its economic ties with African markets and showcased the role of SABA in advancing those connections.
