The UK’s Integrated Review: Implications for Africa-UK relations

The UK’s Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, published in March 2021, lays out the government’s plans for a ‘Global Britain’, including its relations and engagement with the African continent. Specifically, the Integrated Review sets out the UK’s intention to work in partnership with the African Union, and with priority countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and Ghana, towards the shared goals of prosperity, democracy and security.

Economic and security commitments are particularly apparent, with the UK committing to continued economic engagement through the development of mutual partnerships, the building of resilient and productive economies, and through investment and financial offerings. The Integrated Review also reflects on the need for increased security and counter-terrorism efforts in the Horn of Africa region, with the government committing to invest in regional stability by supporting intergovernmental and regional peacekeeping missions and delivering on the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership.

However, the Review has been criticized for its lack of commitment to development, including poverty and disease reduction, as well as climate security. The government’s aid strategy is yet to be published but there are concerns that the Integrated Reviews reflects the UK’s decreased commitment to international development.

At this event, panellists will reflect on the implications of the Integrated Review for UK-Africa relations and engagement, placing it in the context of long-term challenges facing African countries, and their evolving foreign relations.

This event will take the form of a Q&A session. Please submit your questions to [email protected] in advance of the event and a selection will be presented to the speakers during the event.

This event will also be broadcast live on the Africa Programme Facebook page.