Twining’s Ovaltine is set to establish its first manufacturing facility in Africa, a £24 million investment in Lagos that is expected to create more than 100 direct jobs and expand the brand’s export capacity across West Africa. The announcement, made alongside ongoing UK–Nigeria trade engagements, highlights growing investment flows between the two countries and reinforces Nigeria’s position as a strategic destination for industrial expansion.
The Lagos-based plant will serve as a central production hub for Ovaltine, allowing the company to meet rising domestic demand while strengthening regional distribution. “Twining’s Ovaltine is launching a £24 million manufacturing facility in Lagos, its first in Africa, creating over 100 direct jobs and boosting the company’s exports across West Africa,” the statement read.
The development underscores an extended wave of British business interest in Nigeria. According to the UK government, British companies are increasingly targeting the Nigerian market, drawn by its rapid population growth, expanding consumer base, and high-growth sectors. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle noted that the partnership between both countries is delivering tangible economic benefits.
“The UK and Nigeria share a belief in the power of enterprise, innovation, and education to transform lives, and today’s commitments show exactly that. 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,” Kyle said.
The Ovaltine investment is part of recent initiatives to deepen bilateral engagement. Fintech company Wise is poised to secure its first Nigerian licence, opening opportunities in the country’s remittance market. In the creative sector, the SCALE Creative Entrepreneur Award Programme, backed by the British Council and the UK Department for Business and Trade, will support young Nigerian and UK creatives in scaling internationally. The UK Advertising Exports Group will also collaborate with Nigeria’s advertising sector through a talent exchange programme and a UK–Nigeria Advertising Summit.
Cultural and educational initiatives are also expanding. The British Council and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy are planning a UK/Nigeria Season of Culture in 2028, alongside a Creative Industries Roundtable at Lancaster House. Academic partnerships are on the rise, with institutions such as the University of Birmingham and University of Lagos working together on Applied AI and Global Surgery programmes, while the London School of Economics has launched a data science collaboration with Nile University. Additionally, Wellington College International Lagos is scheduled to open in 2027, and EStars is partnering with the Lagos State Government to deliver digital learning programmes to millions of students.
The investment wave extends beyond manufacturing and education. The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority has teamed up with Asset Green Ltd to develop a large-scale dairy project aimed at strengthening local production and reducing imports. Through the UK government’s Manufacturing Africa programme, in partnership with TLG Capital, $200 million has been earmarked to scale Nigerian manufacturing businesses, enhance operations, and unlock industrial capacity. Early beneficiaries include Terra Aqua, an aluminium recycling company in Ogun State, which is seeking $7.5 million in financing to create 200 direct and more than 750 indirect jobs.
