HSBC UK & UK Black Business Show: Celebrating Naija-UK Connect – 25 Top Black Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2025

A Message for the Nigerian Diaspora in the UK (The Naija UK Connect) 🇳🇬🇬🇧

Returning for its fifth year, the partnership between HSBC UK and the UK Black Business Show is a powerful spotlight on the excellence and innovation within the UK’s Black entrepreneurial ecosystem. For the Nigerian community—the ‘Naija UK Connect’—this list of 25 Top Black Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2025 is more than a compilation; it is a source of pride, a blueprint for aspiration, and a direct affirmation of the massive contributions of our people to the British economy and cultural landscape.

This remarkable collective of Black entrepreneurs, spanning media, fashion, finance, and social impact, are not just redefining industries; they are leading with the purpose and drive synonymous with the Nigerian spirit, working to drive meaningful progress across the UK business landscape.

The fifth edition builds upon the celebration of over 100 exceptional Black entrepreneurs recognised across previous years. Every entrepreneur featured has demonstrated that when ‘Naija hustle’ meets opportunity, extraordinary achievements follow. This 2025 cohort is living proof that our innovation, determination, and strategic thinking can overcome any obstacle, establishing pathways for the next generation of Nigerian-British entrepreneurs to follow.

Supporting Black entrepreneurs to build, scale, and sustain impactful ventures is essential to the success of the entire global business ecosystem. This progress requires collective effort, and we, the Naija UK Connect, must continue to champion these trailblazers.

As the UK Black Business Show celebrates its tenth edition next year and continues to be a cornerstone of Black History Month celebrations, it serves as a critical networking hub for Nigerian business owners, professionals, and allies committed to championing growth and connection. The Show follows the highly anticipated UK Black Business Week, offering actionable pathways to uplift underrepresented Black entrepreneurs and professionals.

Through this partnership, we embrace the spirit of progress, collaboration, and celebration, continuously seeking ways to amplify the achievements of Black entrepreneurs, including our own, who are shaping the UK’s economic future.

Spotlight on Nigerian-British Excellence in the Top 25

We take particular pride in celebrating the Nigerian-British founders on this list, whose stories exemplify the drive of the ‘Naija UK Connect’ community:

• Clement Ogbonnaya, CEO of The Village People: 🇳🇬 Born in Nigeria and raised in Peckham, Clement’s pubs, Prince of Peckham and Queen of the South, are celebrated as a “solution to gentrification,” making him a true community leader. His plans to open a new pub every year for the next five years is a testament to his ambition to create welcoming spaces for underrepresented communities across London.

• Gbemi Okunlola, Founder & Creative Director at Alonuko: 🇳🇬 The British-born Nigerian designer established her luxury bridalwear brand at just 17. Alonuko, which means “my glory” in Yoruba, operates from London and generates annual revenues exceeding £1 million, showcasing world-class Nigerian creativity and business acumen on a global stage.
• Eni Awoyemi, Founder of feYi Flowers: 🇳🇬 Eni’s brand is named after her daughter, Feyi, meaning “my joy” in Yoruba, symbolizing the deep cultural heart behind her women-led floristry business. Her fresh approach, born out of self-care and a desire for modern floral designs, brings new energy to the industry.
• Michelle Adepoju, Founder & Creative Director of Kílẹ̀ńtàr: 🇳🇬 Raised in a Nigerian household, Michelle’s brand is a love letter to her Yoruba heritage and the skilled artisans of West Africa. Honoured as one of Forbes 30 under 30 in 2025, she champions sustainability and circular design, using traditional African methods to redefine luxury fashion.
• Tobi Oredein, Founder & CEO of Black Ballad: 🇳🇬 Tobi is a prominent voice advocating for systemic change and the leading media platform for Black women in Britain. Her work on diversity, representation, and equality has empowered the community, culminating in the flagship Black Ballad Weekender—a cultural staple for Black British women.
• Lámidé Elizabeth, Host of Building Wealth with No Borders Podcast & CEO of WNB Group: 🇳🇬 Lámidé’s impressive journey from graduating to achieving financial independence in her mid-20s by investing seamlessly across the UK and the UAE is a huge inspiration. Her podcast, the largest Black-led, wealth-focused podcast in the UK, is a vital resource for our community.

Supporting Your Success

Dr. Raphael Sofoluke, Founder and CEO of UK Black Business Show & UK Black Business Week, whose own heritage is rooted in the diaspora, reflects on this milestone fifth year:

“Presenting our fifth annual 25 Black Entrepreneurs to Watch list, in collaboration with our long-standing partner HSBC UK, fills me with immense pride. Over the past five years, we have celebrated outstanding Black entrepreneurs, and each cohort continues to exceed our expectations with their excellence and innovation. Every entrepreneur selected this year deserves recognition, support, and the amplification of their remarkable contributions. Their hard work, sacrifice, and vision deserve our spotlight. We’re proud to showcase this extraordinary collective, and we’re excited to see how their businesses evolve and the impact they’ll create in their respective industries.”

Tom Wood, Head of SME Business Banking, HSBC UK added:

“Black entrepreneurs are leading some of the UK’s most exciting, dynamic businesses and it’s vital they have the right support to help them achieve their ambitions. Each of the leaders on this list have their own remarkable stories and we hope they are an inspiration to budding entrepreneurs across the UK.”

This list is a clear message to the Naija UK Connect: your entrepreneurial spirit is valued, your contributions are significant, and your success is vital to the UK’s future. Let’s continue to support each other and build generational wealth.

The Full Collective of Top 25 Black Entrepreneurs to Watch:

Below are the incredible entrepreneurs whose hard work and vision are being celebrated, including the outstanding Nigerian-British individuals mentioned above:

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