Mr. Ben Llewellyn-Jones was (re)appointed in the year 2020 as the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos. That year rings bell, right; COVID-19 pandemic and its challenges. Previously, he worked at the British High Commission in Abuja in the role of Political Counsellor from July 2014 to July 2017.

Well, Ben and his family settled down quickly as they felt at ‘home’ in Nigeria. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work. Today, the results are glaring.

Wednesday evening the Uk’s Mission in Nigeria organized a farewell reception in honour of Mr. Ben Llewellyn-Jones & his wife Laura.

He had a side-chat with the media where he spoke about his call-up to serve in Lagos, Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential election, trade and investments, youth development, education, and his fondness for Nigeria’s food.

Mr. Llewellyn-Jones spoke passionately about the Nigeria’s technology ecosystem. He has been wowed by the resilience, talents and the innovative milieu of startups ecosystem.  

What was the feeling like the time you received a letter of [re]appointment to come serve in Lagos (Nigeria)?

“So, this was my second posting in Nigeria; three years in Abuja, and I came back to work here in Lagos. And I was very keen to come back and it’s been a fantastic three years. Lagos is such an exciting and vibrant place. My wife, my family; we are very excited to return.

Speaking further about UK-Nigeria trade and investments during his time as the Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Llewellyn-Jones said:

“I think it’s incredibly strong. And I’m always struck by how often I come across links that even I’m not aware of people so people need music, culture, sport. And if you add to that the incredible trade investment and also government to government dialogue we have in respect to development and foreign policy. I think it’s a very, very strong, very vibrant, very current relationship. So, I’m sure it will go from strength to strength, but it’s been an incredibly strong relationship in the time that I’ve been here”.

TechEconomy further asked Mr. Ben Llewellyn-Jones to assess the tech ecosystem in Nigeria based on his experience in the past three year.

He responded this way;

“I think it’s one of those spaces which we’ve seen real growth. People have described the Nigerian tech ecosystem in different ways, but I think there’s more still that’s happening. I think it’s incredible. It shows the creativity, entrepreneurship and materials in this country. I think it also shows the skill levels in that particular space, which is really exciting. And through the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub and other interventions, we are trying really hard to make sure there’s good partnerships between UK tech firms, UK investors, material partners, interior and the Nigerian counterparts to really profit from each other. And I think there’s lots more we can do together and for me as well. It’s exciting. It is not just about tech; it’s about how tech applies to agriculture, development, health and we’ve seen some really impressive UK-Nigerian partnerships in that space as well”.

UK investments in the Nigerian tech space have focused, majorly, on climate change related products or services. Is that a deliberate move?

“We’re encouraging investment across the board, of course, but we’re really keen to try and encourage investment in a non-fossil fuel space to try and grow Nigeria’s economy, but also in areas where Nigeria has needs and real edge. And I think when it comes to climate change as regards some of the work that’s being done here in Nigeria to deal with those issues, for example, on drug resistant seeds; Nigeria really has some cutting-edge technology.

Speaking further, he said that UK Government will continue to support entrepreneurs in Nigeria, especially the women-led businesses.

“We are trying to help women and girls to have access to digital skills. I think that’s really fundamental for more women and girls to be able to access and work in the digital space. And when it comes to female founders, there’s some really prominent ones, some really amazing ones. I think it’s about making sure that the best ideas are able to come forward. And from our side we’ve been trying to connect the female founders and the male tech entrepreneurs too, with investors; trying to help them to prepare their pitches, trying to make sure they find the right connections and ensure their ideas can be forwarded properly. I’m sure we should do more of that.

His full biography is available HERE.

DCTS offers one of the most generous sets of trading preferences in the world and demonstrates the UK’s commitment to building long term, mutually beneficial relationships with countries like Nigeria.

The launch took place today at the EKO Hotel in Lagos, and the DCTS will come into force in the Spring of 2023, replacing the UK’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences.

The DCTS benefits 65 countries, 37 of which are African, and will mean that Nigeria benefits from duty free trade on over 9200 products.

This is significantly more generous than both the EU’s GSP scheme and the US’ AGOA scheme and, based on current trade volumes, would mean that 99% of goods exports to the UK are duty free.

Speaking on the launch, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, UK Deputy British High Commissioner in Lagos, said:

“Nigeria is one of the UK’s most important partners in Africa and the UK Government is committed to working with Nigerian businesses and exporters to boost trade between our two great nations. The UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme harnesses the power of trade to help Nigeria and other emerging economies grow and prosper.

“One major benefit of this new UK trading scheme is that it abolishes tariffs on over 3000 everyday products that Nigeria currently exports including cocoa, cotton, plantain, flowers, fertilizers, tomatoes, frozen shrimps and sesame. The overarching aim of the new scheme is to grow free and fair trade with developing countries, boosting the economy and supporting jobs in those countries, as well as in ours.”

This work is part of a wider push by the UK to drive a free trade, pro-growth agenda across the globe, using trade to drive prosperity and help eradicate poverty.

Monday, November 07 2022, the UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly was at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh Egypt, where he made a raft of UK adaptation-related announcements including a £95 million Propcom+ investment that is set to benefit at least 4 million Nigerians, including 2 million women, to increase productivity and adapt to the effects of climate change while at the same time reducing emissions. 

Propcom+ builds on the UK Government’s investment in agriculture through the Propcom Mai-karfi programme in Nigeria. This new £95 million Propcom+ programme is set to help address key barriers to sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.  It will support the development of climate-resilient agricultural policies, actions, and investments that deliver nutrition, increase productivity, adapt and build resilience while reducing emissions, and protect and restore natural ecosystems.  For example, through the adoption and scaling of practices such as heat and flood tolerant crop varieties and integrated soil fertility management.

The new Propcom+ programme involves supporting inclusive and resilient growth by promoting the progressive transformation of Nigeria’s rural economy. The new programme will build the capacity of small-scale farmers and rural communities in climate smart agriculture. It will work with Nigeria’s vibrant private sector on agriculture to increase productivity, improve nutrition and food security, enhance climate resilience, pursue lower emissions and halt and reverse biodiversity loss, as well as helping to tackle some of Nigeria’s underlying drivers of conflict and insecurity.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: 

“The Glasgow Climate Pact gave the world the tools to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees and build a secure and sustainable future. Now is the time for all countries to step up their action on climate change and deliver the tangible change needed. The UK will continue to play a leading role in this mission. The funding we have announced will support countries which are facing the devastating impact of climate change, to adapt effectively.” 

UK Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones said:  

“Nigeria is extremely vulnerable to climate change and land degradation. Climate risks are increasing, diminishing productive capacity, and contributing to worsening food insecurity. Farmers are on the front line and highly dependent on seasonal rainfall making them increasingly vulnerable to the changing and unpredictable climate. 

“Tackling climate change and biodiversity loss is a key UK international priority and we remain committed to supporting inclusive and climate resilient growth in Nigeria through the Propcom+ programme which will build on the successes and lessons from previous engagement and deliver on adaptation and resilience, and on nature for climate and people.” 

The UK is proud to support Nigeria’s climate, environment and energy ambitions in the lead up to COP27.  Through programmes such as Propcom+, UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions), UKNIAF (UK-Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility), and FSD (Financial Sector Deepening) Africa, amongst others, the UK supports Nigeria on protecting and restoring nature, climate adaptation and resilience, promoting access to climate finance, clean energy, sustainable cities, infrastructure and transport.   

Under the UK’s COP Presidency, almost all developed country climate finance providers made new, forward-looking climate finance commitments, with many doubling or even quadrupling support for developing countries to take climate action.