The United Kingdom’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa, Alastair Long, has kicked off his mission, positioning at the forefront of the King’s efforts to deepen trade and investment relations between the UK and the continent.

A statement made available by the British High Commission in Nigeria holds that Long has formally assumed the new role under the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), returning to a region where he previously served as Deputy Trade Commissioner and later His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner between 2019 and 2022.

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His appointment comes as the UK seeks to expand commercial partnerships with African countries, attract investment and support businesses on both sides to unlock new opportunities, drive innovation and promote sustainable economic growth.

As Trade Commissioner, Long will work with African governments, investors, businesses and institutions to strengthen economic ties and develop partnerships capable of building more sustainable, resilient and productive economies across the continent.

He will also focus on supporting UK and African businesses, expanding commercial opportunities, improving market access and advancing the UK’s trade policy objectives.

Long said his return to Africa was an opportunity to build on his previous experience and deepen the UK’s economic engagement with the continent.

“I am thrilled to be taking up the position of His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa and returning to the continent. Africa is the future and I saw, when deputy and then acting Trade Commissioner, what boundless energy and ambition the continent possesses,” he said.

He added that the UK was committed to supporting African and British growth by listening to African priorities and bringing the best of British capabilities to the continent.

“The UK is committed to being a partner that supports African and British growth by listening to African priorities and bringing the very best the UK has to offer. I look forward to engaging across the continent, with the UK business community, and with the UK Government team, to realise as many mutual opportunities as possible,” Long said.

Long succeeds John Humphrey, who served as UK Trade Commissioner for Africa from June 2022.

Reflecting on his tenure, Humphrey said it had been a privilege to work with partners across the continent to strengthen a relationship based on delivery, trust and shared economic ambition.

“Africa is central to the UK’s global outlook, with significant opportunities for commercially grounded collaboration and sustainable growth,” he said.

Humphrey expressed confidence that Long would build on the momentum established under his tenure, describing his successor as an experienced trade professional with the expertise and energy required to deepen partnerships and unlock further opportunities for mutual benefit.

Before his latest appointment, Long served as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain from August 2023. He joined the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in 2002 and has held several diplomatic and trade positions across the Middle East and North Africa.

His previous assignments include Deputy Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Director of Trade and Investment for Saudi Arabia in Riyadh from 2018 to 2019; Regional Director for Trade for the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan and Deputy Consul General in Dubai from 2016 to 2018; and Deputy Ambassador and HM Consul General in Muscat from 2013 to 2015.

Long was educated at Clare College, Cambridge University, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

As HM Trade Commissioner for Africa, Long has responsibility for coordinating the UK’s trade and investment efforts across the continent, including growing the overall trade and investment relationship, improving market access for British companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, and developing trade policy.

He will work closely with UK-based government officials, British ambassadors and the wider diplomatic network across Africa to coordinate efforts to promote UK trade, investment and economic prosperity.