The Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce successfully convened the maiden edition of the NBCC Economic Outlook UK in London on February 6, 2026, bringing together senior policymakers, economists, financial institutions and private sector leaders within the Nigeria-UK business corridor to deliberate on the theme: Nigeria-UK 2026 Economic Direction: Stability, Growth and Private Sector Outlook.
The high-level forum was hosted in partnership with the Institute of Directors Africa Group, with FirstBank UK serving as Headline Sponsor, and support from DCSL Corporate Services Ltd. and Access Bank UK. The event provided a strategic platform for dialogue on macroeconomic reforms, investment climate developments, trade expansion and the evolving role of the private sector in strengthening bilateral economic relations.
In his welcome address, Prince Abimbola Olashore, President and Chairman of Council, NBCC, reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to deepening commercial ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He stated that “This forum provides an important platform to examine where stability is emerging, where growth opportunities lie, and how the private sector can act as the engine for sustainable and mutually beneficial development between our two economies.”
The forum featured distinguished guests, including Florence Eshalomi MP, Labour Member of Parliament for Vauxhall & Camberwell Green and UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria, and H.E. Ms. Macenje “Che Che” Mazoka, Zambian High Commissioner to the UK, Ambassador to the Holy See and Ireland. Their goodwill messages underscored the strategic importance of Africa-UK economic partnerships. High Commissioners from Algeria, Ethiopia and Ghana to the United Kingdom were also in attendance.
Keynote presentations were delivered by Dr. Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist and Managing Director, Research & Trade Intelligence at African Export-Import Bank, and Razia Khan, Head of Research and Chief Economist, Africa & Middle East at Standard Chartered Bank. Both speakers offered forward-looking analyses of Nigeria’s macroeconomic reforms, inflation trajectory, foreign exchange stability, growth projections and Africa’s positioning within the evolving global economic landscape. The UK Department for Business and Trade was represented by Robert Lally, Africa Lead, Economic Security and Trade Relations, who provided an overview of the current policy and trade framework.
The panel session, moderated by Mrs. Awuneba Ajumogobia, featured Steven Lynch MBE, Director of International Trade at the British Chambers of Commerce; Sabila Din, CEO and Founder of DIN Consultants; and Olukorede Adenowo, Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank UK. Discussions focused on practical strategies to expand trade flows, improve access to finance, enhance regulatory clarity, mitigate risk and accelerate private sector-led growth between Nigeria and the UK.
The maiden edition of the Economic Outlook UK marked a significant milestone in structured economic engagement within the United Kingdom and reinforced the Chamber’s commitment to sustaining momentum through continuous dialogue and partnership development.
Strong participation from stakeholders across the Nigeria-UK business corridor further underscored the relevance of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce as a leading platform for bilateral trade advocacy, investment facilitation and private sector collaboration.
The Chamber expressed appreciation to its partners, sponsors, speakers and attendees for their contributions to the success of the inaugural Economic Outlook UK and reiterated its commitment to building on the outcomes to further strengthen economic cooperation and unlock new growth opportunities in 2026 and beyond.
The Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, established in 1977, is Nigeria’s foremost bilateral chamber dedicated to promoting trade and investment between Nigeria and Britain. The Chamber currently has over 400 members drawn from diverse sectors of the economy and is an international affiliate of the British Chambers of Commerce, providing access to a network of 53 Chambers of Commerce across the United Kingdom and 71 international affiliates globally. Through its activities, the Chamber brings together businesses, policymakers and innovators to facilitate partnerships, expand market access and strengthen bilateral investment ties.
