London Mayor Sadiq Khan has used his trade mission to Africa as a platform to champion deeper UK-Africa collaboration, warning that proposed restrictions on international students could jeopardize long-standing educational and economic ties between the UK and the continent.
Speaking in Accra on the Ghana leg of his five-day tour of Africa, Mr. Khan strongly opposed UK government plans to tighten policies on international students, including a proposed levy on university income from foreign enrolments. He argued that such moves would not only hurt the British economy but also weaken global partnerships that are essential for innovation, growth, and shared progress.
“Closing our doors to international students would be a grave error,” he stated. “This is not just about visas—it’s about vision. It’s about building lasting bridges between nations, not walls.”
Mr. Khan’s remarks come as new Home Office data shows a 16% drop in international student visa applications between July and September 2024 compared to the previous year, a trend experts warn could accelerate if policy proposals are implemented.
Citing figures from City Hall, Mr. Khan highlighted that international students contribute an estimated £55 billion annually to the UK economy, with London alone benefitting by £12.5 billion. Beyond financial benefits, he stressed their social and cultural impact, calling international students “ambassadors of global cooperation” who enrich the UK’s cities and campuses.
As part of his visit, Mr. Khan also celebrated the growing academic cooperation between UK and African institutions. Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, showcased the university’s successful partnership with Imperial College London, which has supported over 400 students and launched more than 150 startups in climate and entrepreneurship sectors.
“Our goal is to have 10% of our students engaged in entrepreneurial ventures,” she noted, underscoring the value of cross-border education in driving innovation.
The London Mayor’s Africa mission, which includes stops in Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, aims to deepen economic and cultural ties between London and Africa’s rapidly developing markets. Accompanying him is a trade delegation of 27 London-based companies under the umbrella of London & Partners, the city’s business growth agency.
“In a global economy, we must not wait for opportunity to knock—we must take London to the world,” Mr. Khan said, reinforcing his message that the capital remains open and outward-looking despite changing national immigration rhetoric.
As he continues his tour, Mr. Khan’s message is clear: protecting and expanding the UK’s role as a hub for global education and trade requires openness, not restriction—and Africa remains central to that future.
