The UK-Africa Partnerships Forum is a strategic platform designed to foster and deepen relations between the United Kingdom and Africa, harness the strengths of both regions to unlock emerging economic opportunities, drive inclusive growth, strengthen strategic partnerships, address mutual challenges, and foster deeper collaboration across trade, innovation, and sustainable development. The UK-Africa Partnership Forum arises in the context of rapidly evolving global economic dynamics and the increasing importance of Africa as a strategic partner for the UK post-Brexit.

The UK has maintained a long-standing relationship with Africa, historically focused on trade, investment, and development aid. However, the UK’s exit from the European Union has prompted a rethinking of its foreign economic policies, particularly toward Africa—a continent poised for significant economic growth. In 2023, Africa was seen as one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, with a collective GDP of over $3 trillion. Despite global economic challenges, Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy grew by an estimated 3.6% in 2023, with projections to reach around 4.1% by 2024 due to robust performance in key sectors like agriculture, energy, and telecommunications.