UK Signed Trade Agreements With Africa Before Brexit

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers a speech during the Opening Plenary session of the UK Africa Investment Summit in London, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. Johnson is hosting African leaders, businesses and international institutions at the one-day summit in London. The event is taking place as Britain prepares for post-Brexit negotiations with countries around the world. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool)

The UK government says it has signed 11 trade agreements with African countries, just over a week before it officially leaves the European Union.

At least a dozen African leaders are in London for a summit aimed at boosting the UK’s private sector investment on the continent.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi of Egypt, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana were among the 15 African leaders at the event.

Addressing the opening of the investment summit, the UK Minister said the United Kingdom was the “ultimate one-stop-shop” for trade, education and tech. 

Johnson used his speech to present Brexit as “a new start” for the UK and for trade with other nations.

UK businesses will play a big role in the UK’s policy shift in Africa. They have already signed deals worth more than ($7.8bn, with more expected during the summit.

With many of the fastest-growing economies and a rapidly expanding population, Africa is seen as an attractive market for long-term investors.

Africa has a rapidly growing population with a quarter of the world’s population is expected to come from the continent by the middle of the century.

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