UK Woos Investors for African Businesses at Moonshot 2026
By Editor 
The United Kingdom has stepped up efforts to connect Nigerian and African businesses with international investors, expertise and markets, as it intensified engagement with technology entrepreneurs and business leaders at Moonshot 2026 in Lagos.
The initiative, which brought together founders, investors, policymakers and industry leaders, focused on helping high-growth African businesses attract investment, expand internationally and compete in the global marketplace.
In a statement on Friday, the UK said its participation in Moonshot by TechCabal 2026, held under the theme, “Courage & Conviction: Building for a New World,” formed part of its broader drive to strengthen commercial ties with Nigeria and support innovation-led economic growth across Africa.
Through founder showcases, investor matchmaking and policy discussions, the UK sought to build partnerships and create opportunities for businesses to secure funding, expand their operations and access international markets.
Ahead of the conference, the UK supported the TECA Demo and Pitch Days, delivered by BFA Global through UK-funded FSD Africa, where Nigerian innovators showcased solutions to real-world challenges and pitched investment-ready businesses to investors and ecosystem leaders.
The UK-Nigeria Tech Hub also supported the Magna Investor Connection Drive, which connected 25 vetted founders with 15 active investors through structured, pre-matched meetings aimed at facilitating investment, business expansion and commercial partnerships.
His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, Alastair Long, joined other UK representatives at Moonshot to engage entrepreneurs, investors and technology ecosystem leaders on opportunities to scale African businesses and strengthen UK-Africa commercial relations.
The discussions addressed access to finance, digital trade, climate resilience and the conditions required for African businesses to develop globally competitive products and services.
Separately, British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, convened founders, investors and ecosystem leaders at a reception ahead of the African Prosperity Summit 2026, hosted by Venture Platform, to examine how investment, innovation and stronger partnerships could accelerate economic growth across the continent.
The UK also highlighted its Global Entrepreneur Programme, which supports exceptional international businesses seeking to establish a UK headquarters or research and development presence as part of their global expansion strategies.
Country Director of the UK-Nigeria Technology Hub at the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, Oyinkan Akinola-Bello, said Nigeria’s entrepreneurial potential could be strengthened through partnerships that improve access to investment, expertise and international opportunities.
“Nigeria is home to some of Africa’s most innovative and ambitious entrepreneurs. Through our partnerships with founders, investors, policymakers and ecosystem builders, we are helping create the conditions businesses need to grow, attract investment and access international opportunities,” she said.
Akinola-Bello said the UK remained committed to supporting innovation and enterprise, adding that the ultimate measure of the engagement would be the partnerships, investments and opportunities generated beyond the conference.
“The UK is proud to be a long-term partner for innovation and enterprise. We want to see more Nigerian businesses scaling successfully, building global connections and driving sustainable economic growth,” she said.
She added that the real measure of success would be the partnerships, investments and opportunities that emerged long after the week-long engagements.
The UK said its participation in Moonshot 2026 aligned with its broader commitment to strengthening commercial relations with Nigeria, promoting entrepreneurship, supporting job creation and connecting African businesses with the expertise and international partnerships needed for sustainable growth.
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