Keypoints:
- UK shifts Africa policy to support mutual growth
- Strategy shaped by 5-month, continent-wide talks
- Trade, security, and climate lead UK priorities
THE UK has launched a major overhaul of its engagement with Africa, revealing a strategy aimed at boosting trade, security and shared influence in a fast-changing global order.
The new approach, announced on June 2 by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), follows an extensive five-month consultation process involving 47 African governments, multilateral bodies, and over 200 stakeholders from civil society, academia and business.
The strategy marks a shift from top-down aid models to what the UK calls ‘genuine partnerships’ rooted in mutual respect and co-creation, with African priorities leading the agenda.
Resetting ties with African priorities at the core
The consultation, launched by the Foreign Secretary in November 2024, spanned 51 diplomatic missions and was supported by 25 ministerial visits. It drew strong support for a UK strategy focused on listening, local context, and long-term engagement.
‘We heard a clear message,’ the FCDO report says. ‘African partners want equal footing, with the UK supporting their growth ambitions rather than prescribing models.’
Countries welcomed a ‘think with Africa, not do for Africa’ approach that elevates collaboration over intervention. African leaders stressed that the UK must adapt to diverse national contexts and back continental priorities like the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Growth, trade and economic transformation
Economic development emerged as the central concern. African governments highlighted the need for investment, diversification and value-added trade. They pointed to the extractives sector, agriculture, and manufacturing as key areas for deeper UK involvement.
Support for intra-African trade—particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)—was seen as vital, alongside UK schemes like the Developing Countries Trading Scheme and UK Export Finance.
Yet concerns were raised that UK firms remain overly cautious in African markets, citing risk perceptions and visa barriers. African businesses and governments called on the UK to provide stronger commercial backing, clearer policy signals, and better coordination of trade support tools.
Climate leadership and strategic partnerships
Africa’s vulnerability to climate change also loomed large. Participants urged the UK to scale up long-term investment in adaptation, green infrastructure, and food security. Many emphasised the need for blended finance approaches to unlock private capital.
While the UK was praised for its political commitment and climate finance, African stakeholders questioned whether current efforts are integrated enough across development, peacebuilding, and environmental fronts.
Crucially, they asked the UK to shift away from top-down climate models and respect African sovereignty—especially on contentious issues like fossil fuels, carbon markets and trophy hunting.
Security, sovereignty and UK influence
Security concerns were tied directly to economic instability. African respondents called for more UK support in counterterrorism, maritime security and regional stability, but made clear that African sovereignty must be respected.
The UK’s diplomatic heft and defence expertise were both valued. However, the report notes growing demands for inclusive, locally led solutions—especially in light of rising conflict and reduced roles for women and civil society in peacebuilding.
The African Union and regional bodies like ECOWAS and SADC were seen as critical partners, with the UK urged to support their peace missions long-term.
Governance and migration challenges
Respondents stressed that democratic resilience hinges on strong public services, tax systems, and civil accountability. Many urged the UK to help tackle illicit financial flows and strengthen electoral integrity.
On migration, African stakeholders voiced frustration with the UK’s restrictive visa regime, which they said stifles business links, academic exchange, and cultural diplomacy. They called for more legal migration routes, better support for host countries, and urgent reform to ease mobility for officials, students and entrepreneurs.
Power of soft diplomacy and science
Despite resource cuts to the British Council and BBC, the UK retains significant soft power—especially in education, sport, and English-language influence. Demand is growing for UK university campuses in Africa and expanded access to STEM and vocational training.
African partners also highlighted the untapped potential of the UK’s diaspora, describing it as a ‘living bridge’ for trade, culture and innovation.
In science and technology, stakeholders called for long-term, co-created partnerships—not short-term, UK-led projects. Stronger frameworks for intellectual property, researcher mobility and investment in women-led innovation were also prioritised.
Colonial legacy and future direction
Some respondents urged the UK to engage honestly with its colonial past, particularly as 2025 has been designated by the African Union as the ‘year of reparations’. Younger Africans were particularly vocal about the need for historic accountability alongside forward-looking partnerships.
The report concludes that while the UK may not match the financial heft of other powers, it retains a ‘trusted role as convenor and partner’. Its success now hinges on deepening mutual growth, supporting African agency, and translating its reset into real-world impact.
