UK Government Delegation Visits Interswitch, Explores Partnership Opportunities

UK Government Delegation Visits Interswitch, Explores Partnership Opportunities

L-R: Ben Ainsley, His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Africa; Jonny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner; Florence Eshalomi, UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Nigeria; Mitchell Elegbe, Founder/GMD Interswitch Group; Akeem Lawal, MD, Payment Processing and Switching (Interswitch Purepay) and Ceri Smith, Director General- Investments for the UK Department for Business and Trade during the Delegation’s visit to Interswitch Group Headquarters in Lagos recently.  

Lagos, Nigeria – September 4, 2025 — Interswitch Group, Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce company, has hosted a high-level delegation from the British Deputy High Commission and the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) at its headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The delegation was led by the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter, and included the UK’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Florence Eshalomi MP; Director General for Investments in Africa, Ceri Smith; His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Africa, Ben Ainsley; Country Director, DBT Nigeria, Mark Smithson; Deputy Country Director and Investment Officer, Morayo Adekunle; and James Harding, Private Secretary to the DG Investments.

They were received by Interswitch Founder and Group Managing Director, Mitchell Elegbe, alongside senior executives including Akeem Lawal, MD of Payment Processing and Switching (Interswitch Purepay); John Maguire, Group CFO; Chinyere Don-Okhuofu, MD, Interswitch Industry Ecosystems (Indeco); Vincent Ogbunude, MD of Verve International; Ndifreke Nkose, EVP Strategy & Chief of Staff; and Adaobi Okerekeocha, Chief Innovation Officer.

Talks focused on strengthening bilateral trade ties, exploring collaboration, and identifying opportunities to support Interswitch’s international growth.

Speaking during the engagement, Elegbe underscored the value of global partnerships in scaling innovation and financial inclusion across Africa.

“As we continue to scale our operations and deepen our impact across the continent, collaborations with global partners like the UK present invaluable opportunities to accelerate growth, expand access, and deliver transformative financial solutions,” he said.

The UK delegation reaffirmed the British government’s commitment to boosting trade relations with Nigeria, particularly in financial services, technology, and digital infrastructure.

The visit highlights Interswitch’s position as a key player in Africa’s digital economy and reflects growing international interest in fostering partnerships that drive sustainable economic growth.