The United Kingdom, UK Government has appointed Alastair Long as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa, with a mandate to deepen trade and investment ties between the UK and the continent.
Long, who previously served as Deputy Trade Commissioner and later Acting Trade Commissioner for Africa between 2019 and 2022, returns to the region with a focus on strengthening commercial partnerships, attracting investment and supporting sustainable economic growth.
In a statement signed by the Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer, Ndidiamaka Eze, the UK Department for Business and Trade said stronger trade and investment relations with Africa would create jobs, unlock business opportunities, drive innovation, strengthen industries and support sustainable economic growth.
As Trade Commissioner, Long will work with African governments, businesses, investors and institutions to expand opportunities for companies in both the UK and Africa.
Priorities
His priorities will include strengthening commercial partnerships, supporting businesses on both sides, attracting investment and helping to build sustainable, resilient and productive economies across Africa.
Speaking on his appointment, Long said he was delighted to return to the continent, describing Africa as a region with enormous energy and potential.
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“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.
Long said the UK would seek to build partnerships that respond to African priorities while leveraging British expertise and opportunities.
“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,” he said.
Long brings extensive diplomatic and trade experience to the position. Before his latest appointment, he 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 senior diplomatic and trade positions across the Middle East and North Africa.
Between 2018 and 2019, he served in Riyadh as Deputy Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Director of Trade and Investment for Saudi Arabia.
From 2016 to 2018, he was Regional Director for Trade for the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as Deputy Consul General in Dubai.
He was also Deputy Ambassador and HM Consul General in Muscat between 2013 and 2015.
He succeeds John Humphrey, who served as UK Trade Commissioner for Africa from June 2022.
Reflecting on his tenure, John Humphrey described his service as an opportunity to strengthen economic relations between the UK and African countries.
“It has been a privilege to serve as the UK Trade Commissioner for Africa and to work with partners across the continent to strengthen a relationship grounded in delivery, trust and shared economic ambition,” he said.
