Theresa May is on her first official visit to Africa as Prime Minister, where she is visiting Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. During the visit, the Prime Minister is expected to emphasise the importance of the UK’s partnership with the continent post-Brexit.

Speaking about the trip, Romilly Greenhill, UK Director of anti-poverty organisation ONE, said:

“Being her first official visit to Africa as Prime Minister, this is a pretty big trip for Theresa May. Across a changing continent, the potential for growth and prosperity is significant, with young people building a thriving future for themselves.

“However, challenges remain, so for Africa’s young people to seize this moment it is vital they are not disadvantaged by lack of health, education or economic opportunity. This is why UK aid – and the catalytic role it plays in helping to lift people out of poverty – is so important. I hope the Prime Minister will see firsthand the positive role UK support has played.

“As leader of the most generous G20 donor country, the Prime Minister should be proud of the UK’s significant contribution to the fight against extreme poverty in Africa. The millions of people whose lives have been changed by UK aid invested in the continent speak to that. This shows that Global Britain is more than a slogan.”

ENDS

Some facts about the impact of UK aid in Africa:

From 2015 to 2018, DFID programming in the region has helped[1].

–        4.8 million children go to school

–        6.8 million women access family planning

–        17.5 million people benefit from water and sanitation programmes

–        14.3 million people benefit from humanitarian assistance

 

[1] Sector pages 2017 to 2018, Single Departmental Plan results by sector, DFID