Four-day taxpayer-funded trip to Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa draws accusations of wasteful spending from Conservative opposition
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is facing mounting criticism after a Freedom of Information request revealed that his historic trade mission to Africa this summer cost London taxpayers £83,921—equivalent to approximately £16,000 per day for the four-day journey.
The eye-watering expenditure has prompted outrage from political opponents, with Conservative leader in London, Susan Hall, condemning the trip as “an absolutely disgusting waste of money” and suggesting the mayor should “stay at home and fix the problems here.”
Breaking Down the Costs
According to information released by City Hall in response to a Daily Express FOI request, the cost breakdown reveals substantial spending across multiple categories:
- Flights: £68,330—the largest single expense, accounting for more than 81% of the total budget
- Hotels: £11,418—covering accommodation for the mayor and his delegation
- Ground Transportation: £1,353—for local travel between venues and cities
- Food and Dining: £2,818—covering meals and hospitality during the visit
The trip, which took place during the height of summer, saw Khan and a delegation of 11 City Hall staff members traveling in business class and premium economy seats to three African nations. All accommodation and meal expenses were covered by taxpayer funds through City Hall’s expense system.
The Mission’s Ambitious Itinerary
Khan’s journey marked a historic milestone as the first trade mission to Africa by any Mayor of London. The five-day visit encompassed four major cities across the continent: Lagos in Nigeria, Accra in Ghana, and both Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa London City HallMyJoyOnline.
The trip was designed to boost trade links with London and build on extensive connections between the region and the capital’s growing African diaspora. London & Partners, the Mayor’s growth agency, coordinated a trade delegation of 27 London-based companies seeking to expand their operations in this dynamic region London City Hall.
The Economic Rationale
City Hall defended the expenditure by pointing to the substantial economic relationship between London and the African continent. Trade between the UK and Africa was worth £50 billion in 2024, with UK exports up six percent year-on-year. More businesses from London expand into Africa than from any other city globally, and the UK stands as one of Africa’s significant trading partners London City Hall.
During the trip, the mayor delivered a speech on innovation and entrepreneurship to students at the University of Ghana in Accra, hosted by Imperial College London. In Lagos, he hosted a major culture and creative industries reception to celebrate the status of both Lagos and London as cultural and creative industry powerhouses MyJoyOnline.
Khan also participated in business meetings, visited the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and engaged with technology entrepreneurs in what has been identified as one of the world’s fastest-growing tech hubs.
Political Backlash
The revelation of the trip’s cost has provided fresh ammunition for Conservative critics who have consistently challenged Khan’s spending priorities. Susan Hall, who ran against Khan in the most recent mayoral election, has been particularly vocal in her criticism, accusing the mayor of mismanaging public funds while London faces pressing local challenges.
“Sadiq Khan certainly knows how to spend money,” Hall stated in her response to the FOI findings. Her suggestion that he should “stay at home and fix the problems here” reflects growing Conservative frustration with what they characterize as the mayor’s international focus at the expense of local issues.
Critics have questioned whether the substantial taxpayer investment in business-class travel, premium accommodation, and international hospitality represents appropriate use of public funds, particularly given ongoing budgetary pressures facing London’s public services and infrastructure.
The Mayor’s Defense
In defending the trip, Khan stated: “I am delighted to be visiting Africa this week – the first visit of its kind by a Mayor of London – to bang the drum for the capital and further develop the strong ties between our countries. Africa has the world’s fastest growing populations, and is seeing major economic growth across many of its economies. Over the next decade there are huge opportunities to deepen partnerships with London” MyJoyOnline.
Khan emphasized that he would be “working tirelessly throughout this visit to drive trade and investment across critical sectors including finance, education, health, tech creative and sustainability,” adding that “Londoners of African heritage have played, and continue to play, a huge role in making London the greatest city in the world, and this trip is an opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage, history and culture with the African continent” MyJoyOnline.
City Hall officials have argued that the investment in the trade mission could yield significant returns through increased trade relationships, foreign direct investment, and enhanced business connections between London and Africa’s rapidly growing economies.
Pattern of International Travel
This Africa mission represents just one of numerous international trips undertaken by Khan since taking office in 2016. The mayor has made over 20 overseas journeys, including recent visits to Paris for climate conferences, trips to the United States and India, and attendance at various international summits and trade events.
The controversy over the Africa trip’s cost comes amid broader Conservative criticism of Khan’s travel expenses and his frequent absences from London for international engagements. Opposition politicians have consistently argued that the mayor should prioritize addressing domestic issues—including crime, transport, housing, and public services—over cultivating his international profile.
Wider Context
The political friction surrounding the trip reflects deeper divisions over the appropriate role of London’s mayor on the international stage. Khan and his supporters argue that as mayor of one of the world’s leading global cities, maintaining international relationships and promoting London’s economic interests abroad is a crucial part of the job. Critics counter that taxpayers expect their elected officials to focus primarily on local concerns, particularly when public budgets face pressure.
Following the July trade mission, Khan announced that City Hall would host its first-ever London-Africa business summit, with predictions that UK bilateral trade with the African continent could reach £62 billion by 2030 London City Hall.
Whether the £83,921 investment in the Africa trade mission will ultimately generate sufficient economic returns to justify its cost remains a matter of political debate. As London continues to navigate economic challenges and compete for international investment, the tension between local priorities and global engagement shows no signs of abating.
