The UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade reaffirmed the government's ongoing dedication to aiding British companies in accessing opportunities by fostering connections with governmental and regulatory entities in Nigeria.
Avanti Communications has convened a special meeting at its office in Ikoyi, Lagos, with Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, President of the Board of Trade, and Minister for Women and Equalities, and Helen Grant MP, the UK Prime Ministers Trade Envoy to Nigeria.
Avanti, a UK-based satellite communications company, has been expanding its presence in Africa, notably with the establishment of its state-of-the-art office in Lagos in April last year, serving as a vibrant hub for its employees across the continent.
The meeting, held on February 12, focused on Avanti’s initiatives across Nigeria, particularly in rural connectivity and education. Notably, Avanti has connected 700 rural and ultra-rural communities in Nigeria, providing vital broadband access to approximately 4m people.
Education stands as a core strategic pillar for Avanti. The company has contributed to the education of over 180,000 children in Kenya to date. Additionally, Avanti collaborates with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to advocate for and facilitate access to quality education for youth worldwide.
During the meeting, potential collaboration opportunities for future projects were explored, particularly in the realm of girls’ education in Nigeria, with Helen Grant MP, who also serves as the Special Envoy for Girls Education.
The UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade reiterated the government’s steadfast commitment to supporting British companies in accessing opportunities, emphasising the facilitation of connections with government and regulatory bodies in Nigeria.
Debbie Mavis, Group HR Director at Avanti Communications, said: We were delighted to welcome Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP and Helen Grant MP to our offices to understand more about the work that Avanti is doing in Nigeria. We have invested heavily in the country, and we are passionate about providing more people with access to connectivity and a quality education, sentiments shared by our distinguished guests today. We look forward to growing our presence here in Lagos and want to thank both Badenoch and Grant for their continued support.
