Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flutterwave, Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, joined Bola Ahmed Tinubu in London as part of a landmark Nigerian private sector delegation during the country’s first State Visit to the United Kingdom in 37 years.
The visit marked a significant moment in strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and the UK, with top business leaders and policymakers discussing strategies to deepen trade, investment, and technological collaboration.
Focus on Financial Infrastructure
A major highlight of the delegation’s activities was the UK–Nigeria Business Summit held at Mansion House.
At the summit, discussions focused on how Nigeria’s evolving financial infrastructure can serve as a gateway for British investments into Africa. Platforms such as Flutterwave were highlighted as key enablers of cross-border payments and digital commerce across the continent.
Speaking on the significance of the visit, Agboola said the engagement demonstrates the growing role of technology in global trade.
“This State Visit marks a defining moment for Nigeria’s private sector and for the role of technology in shaping the future of global trade,” he said.
“Flutterwave was built to connect Africa to the world, and today we are seeing that vision play out at the highest levels of economic engagement. We will continue to invest in the infrastructure, partnerships, and trust required to make cross-border payments faster, more secure, and more accessible for millions of people and businesses.”
Strengthening Regulatory Collaboration
Also present in the delegation were Flutterwave’s Chief Legal, Regulatory and Public Policy Officer, Bankole Falade, and Chief Compliance Officer, Mobolaji Bammeke.
Both executives engaged in discussions around regulatory interoperability and aligning global compliance standards, reinforcing Flutterwave’s commitment to building sustainable institutional bridges between Nigeria and the UK.
These engagements highlighted the growing importance of strong regulatory frameworks in supporting fintech expansion and international financial cooperation.
Expanding the UK–Nigeria Trade Corridor
At the heart of the discussions was the £8.1 billion trade corridor and the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP).
The framework is expected to guide commercial cooperation between the two countries over the next decade, focusing on innovation, financial services, and digital infrastructure.
The high-level delegation reflected the breadth of Nigeria’s private sector leadership. It included Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Executive Chairman of BUA Group; Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA Group; and Jim Ovia, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank.
Others included Aigboje Aig‑Imoukhuede, Founder and Chairman of Coronation Group, and Stanley Uzochukwu, Chairman and CEO of Stanel Group.
Together with public sector leaders, the delegation signalled Nigeria’s intention to move beyond traditional diplomacy and embrace structured, technology-driven economic partnerships with global markets.
