By Adrian Ephraim
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, said Cape Town is “alive with ideas” as he delivered a stirring speech that spoke to the city’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Speaking at the recent Grow London Global event on Friday 18 July at Innovation City, Khan extended an invitation to Cape Town businesses to build stronger ties with London.
“Over the past few days, I’ve met remarkable founders, tech leaders and policy makers in Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg and now in Cape Town. I must admit, several people warned me about coming to Cape Town. They said, Sadiq, the thing is, if you go to Cape Town, you’ll never want to come back,” Khan said.
Khan’s visit was the first official trip by a London mayor to Africa, highlighting a new era of partnership between these major cities.
Grow London Global is a trade mission aimed at strengthening London’s economic, cultural, and innovation ties in Cape Town and was led by Mayor Khan, Howard Dawber OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Business and London & Partners, with support from the British High Commission in South Africa.
The Grow London Global Enterprise and Sustainability delegation includes the following London scale-ups: Algomarketing, Chekkit, Climbing Trees, Deepsearch Labs, Envopap, Humble AI, iWarranty, MOONHUB, Oktopost, Tech1M, The Washing Machine Project, and UpSkill Universe.
The mayor praised Cape Town’s innovation, creativity, and captivating energy.
“Our countries and our cities have a long and deep history. And it would be wrong not to recognise that parts of it are devastatingly dark and difficult. But standing here today, I feel hopeful that we’re ready to reinvent our relationship, to stand side by side as equal partners, mutually trusted and mutually respected, and focused on the future we can build together,” he said.
Strengthening an already strong bond
Cape Town and London already share a mutually beneficial economic relationship. South Africa is the UK’s largest trading partner in Africa, and London captures three times more South African investment than any other European city. Cape Town, in particular, serves as a vital hub for UK capital flowing into South Africa’s startup ecosystem. Khan said he’s confident in the growth potential between the two cities, and that strengthening the relationship is a priority for both governments.
His message to Cape Town businesses was clear and inviting: “London is open.” He reminded the audience that London as a leading global hub for technology, fintech, AI, life sciences, and green technology. With over 120 unicorns and a dynamic workforce, London offers a fertile ground for innovation. The city’s world-class universities and access to global capital make it an attractive destination for ambitious entrepreneurs.
“London is open. Open to your talent, open to your energy, and open to your ambition. Here to play our part in your next big idea. Ready to reinvent our relationship and step into a fairer future. And eager to be a trusted partner, not just for today or tomorrow, but for decades to come.”
