British beverage giant Twining’s Ovaltine is investing £24 million ($30 million) to build its first African manufacturing plant in Lagos, set to generate over 100 direct jobs and position Nigeria as an export hub for West Africa, the UK Department of Business and Trade announced Thursday.
The facility will ramp up production for regional distribution, strengthening economic ties amid President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s historic state visit to the UK—hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle on March 18-19, the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years, aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment.
A UK government statement highlighted the mutual benefits: “With Nigerian firms creating jobs across the UK and British businesses expanding into one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, our partnership is strengthening both economies and delivering real benefits for people in both countries.”
The move mirrors Nigerian banks and fintechs like Zenith, Fidelity, LemFi, Kuda, and Moniepoint scaling UK operations with millions invested and hundreds of jobs—reciprocal growth underscoring Lagos as a manufacturing magnet and trade bridge.
