British beverage maker Twinings Ovaltine has opened a £24m manufacturing facility in Lagos, marking its first production site in Africa and expanding trade ties between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. The facility, which is expected to create more than 100 direct jobs, will increase the company’s production capacity and boost exports across West Africa.

The announcement was made on Tuesday in a statement published on the UK government website, coinciding with the arrival of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, in the UK for an official state visit. President Tinubu is accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

“Twinings Ovaltine is launching a £24m manufacturing facility in Lagos, its first in Africa, creating over 100 direct jobs and boosting the company’s exports across West Africa,” the statement read.

The move comes amid a wave of UK–Nigeria business activity under the UK–Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership, which aims to attract investment into sectors including manufacturing, financial services, technology, and education.

The Business and Trade Secretary, Peter Kyle, said, “The UK and Nigeria share a belief in the power of enterprise, innovation, and education to transform lives, and today’s commitments show exactly that. With Nigerian firms creating jobs across the UK and British businesses expanding into one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, our partnership is strengthening both economies and delivering real benefits for people in both countries.”

Twinings acquired Ovaltine (originally Ovomaltine) in 2002 and manages its global branding and production, including the Lagos facility operated by Twinings Ovaltine Nigeria Limited.

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