Lagos, Nigeria — July 18th 2025
In a historic first, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan led an official trade mission to sub-Saharan Africa this July, starting in Lagos. But this wasn’t just a diplomatic visit. It marked a pivotal moment in how London and Lagos are positioned as co-anchors of a new global venture corridor.
ODBA was proud to stand at the center of this shift, helping guide the conversation from symbolic to structural.
Bridging Borders, Coordinating Capital
At the core of the Lagos agenda was the “Bridging Borders: How London and Lagos Can Shape the Future of Global Tech” summit, held at the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture & History and convened by Grow London Global, London & Partners, and the Lagos State Government.
Gbite Oduneye, ODBA’s Founder and General Partner, moderated one of the summit’s anchor sessions with:
→ Satoshi Shinada – Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures
→ Kristin Wilson – Innovate Africa Fund
→ Gbolade Okeowo – Kuramo Capital
Together, they unpacked the real drivers of cross-border investment:
→ Where is capital actually flowing—and why?
→ What outdated assumptions still shape UK–Africa funding?
→ What systems are needed to make capital portable, trusted, and durable?
“The future of African venture will not be built on noise or narrative. It will be built on discipline, trust, and infrastructure. That’s what we’re building at ODBA,” said Gbite.
More Than a Panel: A Full-Scale Ecosystem Dialogue
Other standout summit moments included:
→ A fireside exchange between Mayor Sadiq Khan and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, moderated by Juliet Ehimuan, on scale, sovereignty, and global stakes
→ Insights from Flutterwave, Verto, and other market leaders
→ A strong close from Deputy Mayor Howard Dawber OBE, reinforcing London’s commitment to serious, long-term engagement across Africa
“This is the fastest-growing tech cluster in the world,” said Mayor Khan. “London is the tech capital of Europe, Lagos is the tech capital of Africa. We’ve come not as patrons—but as partners.”
Creative Power as Economic Infrastructure
The London–Lagos bridge isn’t just built on fintech and venture—it runs through culture. At the Lagos Canvas Reception, co-hosted by Mayor Khan and Mo Abudu, creative leaders from both cities gathered at EbonyLife Place to explore deeper industry partnerships.
“London and Lagos are two of the most culturally dynamic cities in the world,” Khan stated. “By working together to showcase our creativity, we can drive our economies forward.”
(london.gov.uk)
Fashion from House of ZETA, art from Soto Gallery, and Afro-soul performances created a space where culture and capital coalesced—signalling a future where creative industries drive market momentum.
Institutional Alignment: Infrastructure Over Optics
Commissioner Olatubosun Alake, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, captured the strategic context:
“The partnership between Lagos and London will shape the next chapter of global technology. We’re building inclusive infrastructure—digital finance, broadband, STEM pipelines. But we need aligned capital to go further.”
Howard Dawber OBE added:
“Lagos is not an emerging tech hub—it’s a global peer. This is about linking fast-moving ecosystems, not just creating photo opportunities.”
ODBA’s Role: Architecting the Corridor
ODBA’s role in the summit reflects our broader mission:
→ Invest early, with discipline
→ Coordinate capital credibly across borders
→ Help shape ecosystems with infrastructure, not noise
We engaged directly with key stakeholders—from Commissioner Alake and Deputy Mayor Dawber, to institutional investors and founders on both sides—to accelerate the design of a real, repeatable London–Africa capital corridor.
What Comes Next
Mayor Khan’s tour continues in Accra, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. But for ODBA, Lagos was not just a waypoint. It was a validation of what we’ve long believed:
→ That Africa doesn’t just need capital—it needs co-architects
→ That cross-border systems are the next infrastructure layer
→ And that London–Lagos will define the next era of global venture capital
We’re proud to be building it, brick by brick, round by round, summit by summit.
ODBA champion visionary founders who leverage technology to craft extraordinary success stories. Our portfolio boasts investments in 30 technology companies spanning 10 countries, generating more than 1,800 direct jobs and serving a vast community of over eight million users and customers. We take immense pride in the profound impact our portfolio companies have already achieved across the continent and eagerly anticipate future contributions to the transformative landscape of Africa.