The United Kingdom Government has appointed Alastair Long as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa, tasking him with strengthening trade and investment relations 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 mandate to expand commercial partnerships, attract investment and promote 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 ties with African countries would help create jobs, open new business opportunities, promote innovation, strengthen industries and support long-term economic development.
In his new role, Long will engage with African governments, businesses, investors and institutions to identify and expand opportunities for companies in both the UK and Africa.
His responsibilities will include deepening commercial partnerships, supporting businesses on both sides, attracting investment and contributing to the development of sustainable, resilient and productive economies across the continent.
Speaking on his appointment, Long expressed enthusiasm about returning to Africa, describing the continent as a region of immense potential, energy and ambition.
“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 pursue partnerships that reflected African priorities while drawing on British expertise, investment and commercial 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,” he said.
He added that he looked forward to working with stakeholders across the continent, the UK business community and government officials to maximise opportunities of mutual benefit.
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 also served as Deputy Ambassador and HM Consul General in Muscat between 2013 and 2015.
Long succeeds John Humphrey, who served as the UK Trade Commissioner for Africa from June 2022.
Reflecting on his tenure, Humphrey described his time in the position 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.
Humphrey said Africa remained central to the UK’s global outlook, with considerable scope for stronger commercial cooperation and sustainable economic growth.
He said Long was taking over at a time of strong momentum in UK-Africa relations and possessed the trade expertise and experience needed to deepen partnerships and unlock new opportunities.
The HMTC for Africa leads the UK’s efforts across the continent to promote trade, investment, export opportunities and the government’s wider trade policy objectives.
The commissioner works closely with the UK’s diplomatic network, ambassadors, government officials and other partners to coordinate initiatives aimed at expanding British trade and investment across Africa.
The role also involves helping UK businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, gain improved access to African markets while strengthening the broader UK-Africa trade and investment relationship.
