Outgoing Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) Keir Starmer steps into Downing Street in July 2024 on the back of one of the Labor Party’s strongest election victories in decades. He promised to restore Britain’s global credibility after Brexit turmoil and a shrinking aid budget. Africa featured prominently in that pitch: a continent of growing strategic, economic and geopolitical importance.
The message was clear. Labor will fundamentally change how it relates to the African continent, focusing on partnership, not paternalism; Investment, not dependency and this time, the UK was in for a long-term commitment. For many in African capitals, it felt like a reset.
Then came Starmer’s resignation in June 2026, less than two years after entering office, which forced African countries to again ask whether Britain’s involvement could ever transcend political cycles.
In the first months of Starmer’s premiership, engagement with Africa intensified. South Africa became the initial focal point. High-level visits and bilateral talks, as well as the UK’s presence at the G20 summit, signaled new intentions. Trade, infrastructure and innovation dominated the discussion, with a particular focus on small business support through British expertise, tech hubs and rail-sector reform.
African start-ups, particularly those from South Africa and Nigeria, continued to feature at major events such as London Tech Week. In March 2026, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu paid a historic two-day visit to the UK, where he was hosted by King Charles III. They secured an economic partnership agreement to upgrade Nigerian ports and deepen cooperation in the fight against Islamic insurgents.
But beyond the announcements, distribution lagged. Many initiatives launched with fanfare have struggled to translate into measurable results. The gap between ambition and implementation widened rapidly.
‘reset’ that was paused
Labor officials framed the new Africa policy as a shift from aid-dependence to a model built on climate cooperation, the energy transition and critical minerals – areas where Africa’s global relevance is rapidly growing.
Yet that strategy was affected by internal shuffling, leading to a narrowing of focus. Russia’s war in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel, the US and Iran in the Middle East gradually pushed Africa out of strategic priority. As a result, momentum slowed as policy attention shifted elsewhere.
At the same time, fiscal reality emerged. The UK entered this period with lower international development spending, a trend continuing since 2020, when aid fell from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%, and is now expected to fall to 0.3% by 2027 thanks to increased defense spending.
Domestic politics greatly influenced foreign policy choices. Starmer’s government struggled with internal party divisions and declining political capital – factors that led him to resign.
Amidst economic stagnation, Britain moved towards deeper ties with closer and wealthier markets – the European Union (EU) and the Gulf countries – where trade gains could be achieved more quickly.
In contrast, Africa slipped down the ladder. Not abandoned, but denied priority.
This is an example of this pattern. Africa has occasionally occupied a central place in British foreign policy, particularly during the Tony Blair years, when development and diplomatic engagement were at their peak. Outside of those periods, the focus has tended to fluctuate, often driven more by domestic pressures than long-term strategy.
Is Britain’s presence in Africa declining?
Britain is no longer the major external player it used to be. Its permanent seat on the UN Security Council ensures continued diplomatic relevance, particularly on issues of conflict and governance in Africa. But its financial influence pales in comparison to other global powers like China.
However, some key relationships remain stable. For example, South Africa remains one of Britain’s most important partners on the continent. strong business relationshipsIn sectors such as automotive manufacturing and metals. In 2025, total UK-South Africa trade volume stands at £12.6 billion (€14.7 billion, $17.3 billion), up 13% from 2024.
Starmer’s exit creates both uncertainty and opportunity.
On the one hand, it disrupts ongoing initiatives and risks further undermining confidence in the UK’s commitment to sustainability. Major deals—like billions of pounds Strategic partnerships signed with countries like Kenya-Now it will have to face fresh scrutiny as political leadership changes.
But on the other hand, a new Prime Minister has a chance to reset the reset – to define a clearer, more realistic Africa strategy based on cooperation.
The upcoming UK presidency of the G20 presents a concrete test. Issues such as the energy transition, debt relief and critical minerals – where Africa is central to global solutions – can form the basis for more credible and sustained engagement. Under a new prime minister, this moment could prove crucial. Whether the UK chooses to re-engage with Africa with seriousness and consistency – or allow it to slip once again down the list of priorities – will shape the next chapter in this relationship.
This article is taken from this DW Africalink Podcast
Edited by: Crispin Mavakideau