Sir Sadiq Khan is to visit Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa to celebrate the cultural links between London and Africa and boost trade.
But the confirmation of the mayor’s latest foreign travel plans came amid controversy – as he was accused of dodging questions about London to promote his travel abroad.
Sir Sadiq made public the destinations he will visit later this month during a Thursday afternoon visit to The Flygerians, a Nigerian restaurant in Peckham, during which he helped to cook traditional dishes.
Susan Hall, the leader of the City Hall Conservatives, criticised Sir Sadiq for failing to attend a London Assembly meeting scrutinising his plans to part-pedestrianise Oxford Street, which was also being held on Thursday afternoon.
The assembly was voting on whether to approve or block Sir Sadiq’s wish to gain control of Oxford Street – famed for stores such as Selfridges, HMV and John Lewis – via the setting-up of a mayoral development corporation.
Ms Hall told the assembly: “Apparently the mayor is at a Nigerian restaurant. I hope is enjoying his jollof pot. He is far more interested in Lagos than he is in John Lewis.”
Prior to the meeting, she had asked Sir Sadiq why he was not available to answer questions about his proposals for Oxford Street.
Sir Sadiq, who had spent two-and-a-half hours on Thursday morning answering the assembly’s questions about transport, replied: “I suspect I’m busy with other things.”
He will become the first London mayor to lead a trade delegation to Africa.
Details of the mayor’s wish to visit Africa first emerged late last year.
The five-day tour of the continent will take him to Lagos in Nigeria, Accra in Ghana and Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa.
The mayor will hope to build on the extensive connections with the capital’s growing African diaspora, and “bang the drum” for more trade links with London.
Sir Sadiq said: “I’m delighted to announce that later this month I will be visiting Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa to bang the drum for further investment in London and strengthen the cultural ties we have with each country.
“With growing populations, rapidly advancing technology hubs and an appetite for boosting our trading relationships, this trade mission will be a fantastic opportunity to drive further investment here in London and further deepen our partnerships.
“Londoners of African heritage have played, and continue to play, a huge role in making London the greatest city in the world.
“It was great to be at The Flygerians today speaking with business owners and seeing first-hand the impact they make here in the capital, building a better London for everyone.”
Jess and Jo Edun, co-founders of The Flygerians, said: “We’re pleased Sadiq Khan has announced the first mayoral trade delegation to Africa – it shows a commitment to the diaspora. As proud Nigerians we’re really excited to see how the visit unfolds.
“We’re also proud that London is home to the UK’s largest Nigerian population and are delighted to serve our community in Peckham and beyond.”
A delegation of London companies looking to grow their business and access opportunities in Africa will join the trip, under the Grow London Global programme organised by London & Partners.
Later this year, Sir Sadiq is due to make a 12,000-mile round trip to Rio for the 2025 C40 World Mayors Summit.
The three-day C40 summit in Rio in November will be at least the 20th foreign trip undertaken by Sir Sadiq since he became mayor in 2016.
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