This was the first visit to Africa by UK Minister for Trade
Policy , which forms part of the
UK Government's wider resetting of partnerships with Africa,
which the Foreign Secretary set out in November during his visits
to Nigeria and South Africa.
UK Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, , travelled to South
Africa and Botswana to strengthen trade links and create
opportunities for both African and UK businesses.
He is the first Minister from the UK's Department for Business
and Trade to travel to the continent since the UK election, which
took place last summer.
The UK is seeking to deepen trade and investment across the
continent and drive mutually beneficial growth in both the UK and
Africa, including by making progress on removing barriers to
trade to help businesses export more easily and providing UK
support to trade for development programmes across the continent.
During his trip, the Trade Policy Minister co-chaired the first
Southern African Custom Union and Mozambique (SACUM) – UK
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Joint Council. The Economic
Partnership Agreement underpins all goods trade with the UK and
SACUM members. The Joint Council discussed where there is
potential to strengthen our trade and investment partnerships and
support economic growth across all member countries.
He met with South Africa's Minister for Trade Industry and
Competition, Parks Tau, South Africa's Agriculture Minister, John
Steenhuisen, as well as Botswana's Vice-President and Trade
Minister, Ndaba Gaolathe, to discuss areas for future growth in
key sectors including infrastructure, energy, transport and
logistics, agriculture, minerals, and the digital economy. He
also met with UK and South African companies and took part in a
CEO roundtable, where he was seeking views from the private
sector to help inform the Government's cross-continent reset and
wider trade strategy.
Trade Policy Minister, said:
The Government is taking a fresh approach to Africa, one which
prioritises genuine partnerships, mutual benefit, and sustainable
development. My visit is an important step in building new,
long-lasting relationships in South Africa and Botswana.
South Africa is our largest trading partner in Africa, with an
exciting period ahead as the country assumes the G20 Presidency.
Both of our Governments are laser focused on economic growth -
this shared ambition is a powerful motivator for greater
bilateral trade.
Mutual economic growth is also at the forefront of the UK's
relationship with Botswana. There is a huge opportunity for us to
collaborate on sectors important to our economies including
renewable energy and I look forward to continuing to strengthen
our ties.
Minister Alexander emphasised the UK's support for South Africa's
Presidency of the G20 this year and reaffirmed the UK
Government's commitment to building mutually beneficial
partnerships with African countries. This follows on from the UK
Foreign Secretary's recent visit to the continent in November
2024, during which he agreed to develop a UK-South Africa Growth
Plan.
Further information
- this visit forms part of the UK Government's wider resetting
of partnerships with Africa, which the Foreign Secretary set out
in November during his visits to Nigeria and South Africa based
on three priorities: economic growth and transformation, climate
and nature, and governance and security
- background for the UK's Minister for Trade Policy MP can be found
here
- information on the SACUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement
can be found here
- information on the UK Foreign Secretary's visit to Nigeria
and South Africa, including agreement on developing a new
UK-South Africa Growth Plan, can be found here
