Tech firm joins PM on Africa trade trip

Pioneering Sheffield tech firm The Floow is accompanying the Prime Minister on her first official visit to Africa this week.

Some 29 senior business leaders from across the country will be representing the best of British business in technology, infrastructure and financial and professional services.

Prime Minister Theresa May chats to The Floows chief executive Aldo Monteforte

placeholder image — Prime Minister Theresa May chats to The Floows chief executive Aldo Monteforte

They will visit South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya and meet leading businesses, policymakers and entrepreneurs aiming to build new investment, trading and export ties between the UK and these emerging markets.

The Floow is a market leader in driver tracking technology used by insurers. It was first to develop a smartphone app which monitors a host of behaviours that can then be scored according to risk to help set premiums.

The firm accompanied the Prime Minister on a trip to India in 2016. It is already working with partners across five continents.

Prime Minister Theresa May said: “The Floow’s international success shows how innovation and expertise at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse is driving growth and delivering real change not only within the UK, but also on the global stage.

“That’s why I’m so glad they are joining me on this visit to Africa where they will help showcase the unique offer which UK businesses hold for African nations.”

David James, chief operating officer of The Floow, said: “Africa is developing fast so this is an exciting continent to do business in.

“I’m delighted to be joining the Prime Minister’s trade delegation to the region to identify opportunities for The Floow to develop our business and support clients in across Africa from our home in Sheffield.”

The Floow’s tech also allows car manufacturers and policymakers to design safer vehicles and road systems.

More than half of expected global population growth between now and 2050 is expected to occur in Africa, and according to the International Monetary Fund, African economies are amongst the fastest growing in the world, making it a significant trading and investment partner for the UK.