Florence Eshalomi Becomes UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria

She is part of a new global growth team of UK Trade Envoys appointed by the UK Trade Secretary, Mr Jonathan Reynolds, to drive UK exports and investment as the British government pulls every lever available to drive economic growth under its Plan for Change.

She takes over from Ms Helen Grant, who was the Trade Envoy to Nigeria from October 2020 to May 2024.

Ms Eshalomi is part of 32 parliamentarians drawn from across the political spectrum and tasked with identifying trade and investment opportunities for businesses and championing the UK as a destination of choice for investment in the assigned target markets across six continents.

Each market has been identified as presenting significant potential for growing UK trade and Trade Envoys are appointed on their ability, relevant skills and experience.

According to Mr Reynolds, “Trade and investment are key to delivering economic growth, the number one mission of this government and a key part of our Plan for Change.

“That’s why I’ve launched a new team of Trade Envoys, who will use their experience, expertise and knowledge to unlock new markets around the world for British businesses, drumming up investment into the UK and ultimately driving economic growth.”

Speaking on the appointment, the Country Director for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in Nigeria, Mr Mark Smithson, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Florence Eshalomi MP as the new UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria and look forward to working with her to deliver on the commitments made under the UK Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and unlock growth and opportunities for our two nations”

Ms Eshalomi and the other 31 MPs will work closely with the DBT, bringing in their previous government-to-government experience, to bolster exports, attract investments, and remove trade barriers in their respective markets.

The announcement comes ahead of the new Trade Strategy in Spring, which will prioritise rebuilding the UK’s relationship with the EU and seizing opportunities to access new markets further afield.

Other appointments include: Mr Afzal Khan MP appointed to Türkiye, Mr Alex Sobel MP appointed to Ukraine, Mr Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP appointed to Ghana, Mr Ben Coleman MP appointed to Morocco & Francophone West Africa, Mr Calvin Bailey MP appointed to Southern Africa, Ms Carolyn Harris MP appointed to New Zealand, Mr Dan Carden MP appointed to Mexico, Mr David Pinto-Duschinsky MP appointed to Switzerland & Lichtenstein, Mr Fabian Hamilton MP appointed to Southern Cone, Mr George Freeman MP appointed to Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore & Brunei, Lord Iain McNicol of West Kilbride appointed to Jordan, Kuwait & the Palestine Territories, and Lord Ian Austin of Dudley appointed to Israel.

Baroness Jane Ramsey of Wall Heath appointed to Ethiopia, Ms Jess Morden MP appointed to Central America, Lord John Alderdice appointed to Azerbaijan & Central Asia, Lord John Hannett of Everton appointed to Sri Lanka, Lord John Speller of Smethwick appointed to Australia, Mr Josh MacAlister MP appointed to Brazil, Ms Kate Osamor MP appointed to East Africa, Mr Matt Western MP appointed to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos, Mr Mohammad Yasin MP appointed to Pakistan, Mr Naz Shah MP appointed to Indonesia & ASEAN, Ms Paulette Hamilton MP appointed to Commonwealth Caribbean, Lord Richard Faulkner of Worcester appointed to Taiwan, Lord Roger Liddle appointed to Andean, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan appointed to South Africa, Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster appointed to Bangladesh, Ms Sarah Olney MP appointed to North Africa, Ms Sharon Hodgson MP appointed to Japan,  Lord Tom Watson of Wyre Forest appointed to Republic of Korea, and Ms Yasmin Qureshi MP appointment to Egypt.