Twining’s Ovaltine is investing £24 million in a new manufacturing facility in Lagos, marking its first production base in Africa and a significant step in expanding its footprint across West Africa.
The project is expected to create over 100 direct jobs while strengthening local production capacity and export potential within the region. The move comes amid growing trade and investment ties between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
According to officials, the Lagos facility will allow Ovaltine to meet rising demand domestically while serving neighbouring markets more efficiently. The investment reflects a broader push by British companies to tap into Nigeria’s expanding consumer market and industrial base.
Peter Kyle, the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, emphasized the economic significance of the partnership, noting that increased cross-border investments are creating jobs and strengthening both economies. He highlighted shared priorities around enterprise, innovation, and education as key drivers of bilateral cooperation.
Beyond manufacturing, additional UK-linked initiatives are underway in Nigeria. Wise is preparing to secure its first Nigerian licence to enter the remittance market, while the British Council is collaborating on creative industry programmes, including the SCALE Creative Entrepreneur initiative.
In education, partnerships are expanding between institutions such as the University of Birmingham and the University of Lagos, alongside a data science collaboration involving the London School of Economics and Nile University.
The investment aligns with broader UK-backed efforts to support Nigeria’s industrial growth. Through initiatives like Manufacturing Africa and financing from British International Investment, funding is being channelled into sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and recycling to boost local capacity and job creation
