A,buja - British Prime Minister Theresa May
urged Nigeria on Wednesday to tap into the City of London's
financial expertise as she sought to build a new trading
relationship with Africa's biggest economy and most populous
nation.
With Britain set to leave the European Union next March, May
is on a whistle-stop tour of Africa, her first to the continent
as prime minister, hoping to bolster ties with the fast-growing
economies of Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.
"We offer... the important capacity to bring access to
capital markets of the City of London, together with
professional services expertise," May told reporters at Abuja
airport before heading to Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos.
"I look forward to seeing more rich investment in Nigeria
creating jobs for Nigerians and the good people of Britain as
well," she added.
Earlier, May and Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari signed
agreements on economic and defence cooperation.
"We have long-standing relations with Nigeria and
long-standing, close commercial ties with Nigeria. There are
British companies that have been here in Nigeria for many, many
years. We want to enhance those trading links," she said.
"I think there's are real opportunities as we leave the
European Union," said May, who back home is struggling to unite
her divided Conservative Party over her plans to leave the EU.
In April, Britain hosted a meeting of Commonwealth
countries, including South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, seeking to
reinvigorate the network of mostly former colonies and drum up
new trade amongst its members.
In June, the City of London's Lord Mayor Charles Bowman, who
acts as an ambassador for the British capital's financial
district, said Britain and Nigeria were exploring ways to list
naira-denominated bonds on the London Stock Exchange to help
fund infrastructure projects.
On Tuesday May held talks with her South African counterpart
Cyril Ramaphosa. She leaves for Kenya later on
Wednesday.