UK-Africa relations: A new era

The recent UK Francophone West and Central Africa Forum held in London highlighted the increasing importance of strengthening economic ties between the UK and Africa. The forum, attended by dignitaries from nine African countries, including high-ranking government officials, was oversubscribed, signifying the growing interest in fostering partnerships between the UK and African nations. In an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa, John Humphrey, the Trade Commissioner to Africa at the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, discussed the success of the forum and the potential for a new era in UK-Africa relations. Humphrey emphasized the significance of building stronger relationships with Francophone Africa, diversifying trade, and exploring new areas of collaboration. He highlighted agriculture, energy, and healthcare as sectors with immense potential for growth and value creation. Humphrey noted that the UK possesses a competitive advantage in areas such as education, healthcare, renewable energy, and agri-tech, offering valuable expertise and resources to support Africa's development. He also underscored the importance of mutual benefit in advancing trade between the UK and Africa, citing the growing population and workforce on the African continent. The UK government has implemented initiatives to support African exporters, such as the developing countries trading scheme and free trade agreements, which have contributed to the growth of trade between the UK and Africa. Despite global uncertainties and trade tensions, Humphrey expressed optimism about the outlook for UK-Africa relations, emphasizing the UK's commitment to free trade and support for multilateral agreements. The UK has demonstrated its openness to collaboration and partnership with Africa, including its early engagement with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) and the establishment of a team in Accra to support the Secretariat. As the UK economy seeks to expand its business activities in Africa, particularly in West Africa, the focus remains on fostering sustainable and mutually beneficial trade relationships for the long term.