Theresa May to visit Africa in bid to boost post-Brexit trade links
2 min read
Theresa May is preparing to visit Africa for the first time since becoming Prime Minister in a bid to bolster Britain’s post-Brexit trade links.
Mrs May will travel to South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya with a 29-strong business delegation in an attempt to "deepen and strengthen” the UK’s global partnerships ahead of leaving the EU.
The Prime Minister’s visit will kick off on Tuesday, where she is due to give a keynote speech on trade and boosting private sector investment in Africa.
She will then hold a bilateral meeting with South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, and is expected to visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
Her visit to the continent marks the first by a UK prime minister since David Cameron attended the late anti-apartheid leader's memorial service in 2013.
On Wednesday Mrs May is expected to meet Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in the capital Abuja before meeting victims of modern slavery in Lagos.
On Thursday, her final day on the continent, she will meet Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta for a state dinner, after visiting British troops and a business school.
Her visit to Nairobi will mark the first by a UK leader to Kenya since Margaret Thatcher in 1988.
Mrs May said: “Africa stands right on the cusp of playing a transformative role in the global economy, and as longstanding partners this trip is a unique opportunity at a unique time for the UK to set out our ambition to work even closer together.
“A more prosperous, growing and trading Africa is in all of our interests and its incredible potential will only be realised through a concerted partnership between governments, global institutions and business.
“As we prepare to leave the European Union, now is the time for the UK to deepen and strengthen its global partnerships.
“This week I am looking forward to discussing how we can do that alongside Africa to help deliver important investment and jobs as well as continue to work together to maintain stability and security.
“I am proud to be leading this ambitious trip to Africa and to become the first UK Prime Minister in over 30 years to visit Kenya.”
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