The Charge d’Affaires, British High Commission, Abuja, Mrs. Gill Lever Obe, has placed Nigeria as the United Kingdom’s second-largest trading partner in Africa.

She also revealed that the UK has remained one of the largest foreign investors in Nigeria, with investments spanning the energy, finance, and retail sectors of the economy.

Speaking last weekend at the official opening of The Body Shop retail stores in Abuja, the envoy disclosed that the total trade in goods and services between the UK and Nigeria was valued at £7.8 billion in 2023, representing an increase from the £6.9 billion recorded in 2022.

“The UK’s Department for Business and Trade has identified Nigeria as a high-growth market, with a young, dynamic population of over 200 million people and a rapidly expanding middle class,” she added.

She described the entrance of The Body Shop (a pioneering UK beauty products brand) into Nigeria as a clear signal of the confidence UK businesses have in Nigeria’s market and also a reflection of the shared commitment of both countries to fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The Body Shop, a brand name for beauty products made from natural ingredients, was received in Abuja with excitement, along with a commitment by the franchise owners to ensure the retail outlets expand to other cities in the country in no distant time. Beginning from the residence of the British High Commission in Nigeria, activities heralding the opening of the brand shifted to Jabi Shopping Mall for the tape-cutting ceremony the next day and culminated in a dinner that hosted dignitaries, including Nigerians and members of the diplomatic community.

However, before the establishment of the retail outlets for the products last weekend, the franchise had, over the years, been engaged in female empowerment programs for Nigerians, including offering free cervical cancer screening across the country.

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Through the Nigerian General Manager, the brand has been deeply involved in employment creation, especially for women in the shea butter industry, ensuring fair wages and the ethical sourcing of natural ingredients for the products.

“The Body Shop Nigeria is more than a beauty business; it is a movement that uplifts, empowers, and transforms lives,” the envoy added.

The official opening of the retail store in Jabi Shopping Mall on March 8, a day set aside to celebrate women across the globe, excited the envoy. For her, choosing such a date to celebrate the arrival of the brand in the country was a statement of intent.

“This launch is more than just the opening of a store; it is a statement of intent. It represents the power of ethical business, the strength of UK-Nigeria collaboration, and the unwavering commitment to female empowerment.

“The Body Shop’s arrival in Nigeria is a testament to the strength of UK-Nigeria trade relations and the immense potential of the Nigerian market. As a brand rooted in ethical values, sustainability, and community empowerment, it aligns perfectly with the aspirations of

Nigerian consumers, who increasingly value quality, authenticity, and responsible business practices.

“The Body Shop is not just a beauty brand; it is a movement. Founded in the UK in 1976, it has been a trailblazer in promoting ethical consumerism, fair trade, and environmental sustainability. It sources many of its ingredients through its community trade program, which supports over 25,000 people globally, including farmers and artisans in developing countries.

“The brand is also committed to fighting climate change with initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy.”

The British envoy noted that the brand is not only offering high-quality products but also contributing to the empowerment of local communities and the protection of our planet. “This is a milestone but also a stepping stone towards an even brighter future for UK-Nigeria trade.”

According to her, the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), launched in 2023, provides Nigerian businesses with preferential access to the UK market, reducing tariffs and simplifying trade rules.

“We are also working closely with Nigerian partners to address challenges such as infrastructure development, access to finance, and skills training, ensuring that trade benefits all segments of society.

“Let us also look ahead to the opportunities that lie before us. Together, we can build a trade relationship that is not only prosperous but also sustainable and inclusive,” she added.

Also speaking, the GM of The Body Shop, Nigeria, Shalom Lloyd, said the brand was not new to Nigerians.

A pharmacist by profession, Mrs. Lloyd said the brand, which was founded by visionary Anita Roddick, has been instrumental in placing Nigeria’s shea butter on the global map.

According to her, beyond affordability, the product prides itself on ethical and natural beauty ingredients in line with skincare rules, sustainability, and planet-friendly processes.

“The Body Shop is about female empowerment. The fact that we believe in empowerment and community spirit is important, and one of the things we have been supporting is cancer screening.

“Cancer seems like a death sentence to about 95 percent of patients in Africa due to late detection. So, beyond what we have done in the past, we hope to do a lot more screening to detect the scourge early enough. And The Body Shop will be sponsoring that in the country.”
Lloyd noted that in one of the screening exercises conducted in one of the states, 33 cervical lesions, 14 breast lumps, and one stage-two breast cancer case were detected out of 450 women screened in a day.