When Keir Starmer became UK Prime Minister in July 2024, he promised a fresh partnership with Africa based on investment and long-term engagement, moving away from paternalism. However, his resignation in June 2026, less than two years into office, has left those ambitions unfinished and raised doubts about Britain's commitment to the continent.

In the early months of Starmer's premiership, engagement with Africa intensified. South Africa became a focal point, with UK presence at the G20 summit, high-level visits, and bilateral talks on trade, infrastructure, and innovation. In March 2026, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu made a historic two-day visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III, securing an economic partnership deal to upgrade Nigerian ports and deepen counter-insurgency cooperation.

But delivery lagged behind announcements. Many initiatives failed to produce measurable outcomes. Internal reshuffles diluted focus, while the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East conflict pushed Africa down the strategic priority list.

Fiscal realities also took a toll: UK international development spending fell from 0.7% to 0.5% of GNI in 2020, and is expected to drop further to 0.3% by 2027 to fund defense. Amid economic stagnation, the UK prioritized ties with the EU and Gulf states for quicker trade gains, leaving Africa deprioritized.

Starmer's exit creates both uncertainty and opportunity. It disrupts ongoing initiatives and risks eroding trust, but a new prime minister could reset the strategy with clearer, more realistic goals. The upcoming UK presidency of the G20 offers a test: issues like energy transition, debt relief, and critical minerals—where Africa is central—could anchor sustained engagement.

Source: www.dw.com