UK Provides £30mln for Prosperity, Security Projects across Africa (February 22, 2019)

Addis Ababa, February 22, 2019 – UK’s Minister of State for Africa, Harriett Baldwin, yesterday announced up to £30 million funding for prosperity and security projects across Africa.
The funding boost comes as Britain signs a new strategic partnership with the African Union, strengthening the engagement between the continent and the UK Government.
Speaking ahead of the signing of the partnership at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mrs Baldwin said:
“From our support to observers ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria and Senegal this weekend, to the crucial training our Armed Forces provides to security forces in Kenya, the UK’s partnership with African countries continues to help empower and upskill people across the continent, and this funding will allow us to boost those efforts.
“Our new partnership will also cement our relationship with the African Union, building on growing economic ties to forge new opportunities for young people and reinforce our close bonds.”
The partnership will strengthen cooperation on security and prosperity, and support a joined up approach to tackle climate change.
The funding, which forms part of the partnership agreement, and will be spread over three years, will be used to train peacekeepers in Kenya, assist free and fair elections, and support the next phase of negotiations for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
The signing of the strategic partnership also allows the UK to support African-led ambitions with British expertise, to create more opportunities and more jobs, according to a statement the British Embassy in Addis Ababa sent to FBC.