UK appoints Alastair Long as Trade Commissioner for Africa

The UK Government has appointed Alastair Long as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa, tasking him with strengthening trade and investment ties between the United Kingdom and the continent.

This is contained in a statement sent to Nairametrics by the UK High Commission in Nigeria on Monday.

The statement said Long will work with African governments, businesses, investors and institutions to expand commercial partnerships, attract investment and support sustainable economic growth.

His appointment comes as the UK seeks to deepen its economic engagement with Africa, with a focus on creating opportunities for businesses, improving market access and strengthening cooperation across key sectors.

What they are saying

According to the statement, the new Trade Commissioner brings extensive experience in Africa and the wider Middle East and North Africa region.

He previously served as Deputy Trade Commissioner and later HM Trade Commissioner for Africa between 2019 and 2022.

• Before returning to the role, Long served as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain from August 2023.
• He joined the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in 2002 and has held several diplomatic and trade positions, including Deputy Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Director of Trade and Investment for Saudi Arabia in Riyadh between 2018 and 2019.
• From 2016 to 2018, he was Regional Director for Trade for the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan and Deputy Consul General in Dubai. He also served as Deputy Ambassador and HM Consul General in Muscat from 2013 to 2015.

Long was educated at Clare College, Cambridge University, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Long said his return to Africa would allow him to build on his previous experience and work with partners across the continent to identify new opportunities.

• “I am thrilled to be taking up the position of His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa and returning to the continent. Africa is the future and I saw, when deputy and then acting Trade Commissioner, what boundless energy and ambition the continent possesses,” he said.

He added that the UK would seek to support both African and British businesses by responding to African priorities and using British expertise to expand commercial opportunities.

• “I look forward to engaging across the continent, with the UK business community, and with the UK Government team, to realise as many mutual opportunities as possible,” Long said.

Long replaces John Humphrey, who served as UK Trade Commissioner for Africa from June 2022.

Humphrey described his tenure as a privilege and said the UK’s relationship with Africa had been built around delivery, trust and shared economic ambitions.

• “Africa is central to the UK’s global outlook, with significant opportunities for commercially grounded collaboration and sustainable growth,” he said.

Humphrey said Long was taking over with strong momentum already established and expressed confidence that his trade expertise would help deepen partnerships and unlock additional opportunities.

As HM Trade Commissioner for Africa, Long will lead the UK’s trade and investment efforts across the continent, including efforts to expand bilateral commercial relationships, improve market access for British companies and develop trade policy.

His responsibilities will include supporting UK businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, seeking opportunities in African markets while helping attract investment and strengthen economic cooperation.

Long will work with UK-based government officials, British ambassadors and the wider diplomatic network across Africa to coordinate the UK’s trade and investment agenda.

The role places him at the centre of the UK’s efforts to expand economic ties with African economies and translate existing diplomatic relationships into greater commercial activity.

Get up to speed

As part of measures to boost its trade ties with the country, the United Kingdom in June unveiled a new £15 million Growth Programme for Nigeria aimed at accelerating economic transformation, attracting private investment, and supporting reform-driven growth across the country.

In April, the United Kingdom said it was targeting £9 billion in fresh capital inflows into African frontier markets, including Nigeria, as part of a new five-year investment strategy led by British International Investment (BII).

Under the strategy, BII will contribute nearly £5 billion, while the remaining funds are expected to be raised from private investors across Africa and globally.

The UK said the initiative is designed to attract investments into sectors and markets where funding remains limited.

What you should know

Meanwhile, in April, the Federal Government engaged experts from 30 United Kingdom companies to advance trade and investment agreements reached during President Bola Tinubu’s State Visit in March.

The trade mission comes amid strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

The Federal Government recently secured a £746 million financing deal with the UK.