Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Printable version

World Economic Forum on Africa 2015: UK involvement

Global business leaders, government and civil society have come together to look at accelerating growth and creating sustainable development in Africa.

The World Economic Forum on Africa 2015, which took place 3-5 June in Cape Town, has brought together business, government and civil society for three days of discussion on how to accelerating inclusive growth and bring about sustainable development in Africa.

The United Kingdom has long been a lead investor in Africa. Three of the UK’s foremost businessmen, Antony Jenkins from Barclays, Paul Polman from Unilever and Sir Michael Rake from BT Group, are acting as Co-chairs at the Forum. The UK Government has renewed its commitment to strengthen economic cooperation with African nations, to increase trade and investment and create mutual growth and jobs. The conclusions from the Forum will help inform this work and strengthen our links to business across the continent.

Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, said:

The remarkable economic growth that Africa has seen over the last 25 years has helped lift millions out of poverty and led to fundamental changes across the continent. The World Economic Forum on Africa has rightly celebrated this success while also looking at what is needed now to ensure sustainable development over the next 25 years. The UK has long been both a business and development partner in Africa and increasing our mutual prosperity is one of my priorities. I look forward to discussing this further when I visit South Africa later this month.

Attending the Forum, British High Commissioner to South Africa, Judith Macgregor, said:

I was delighted to attend the World Economic Forum on Africa 2015. I have been able to take part in sessions covering a range of issues such as how to develop creativity and innovation, how the UK can increase regional trade and what can be done to remove blocks to trade and reduce red tape. Africa’s potential as an engine for global economic growth is clear and the UK will have a significant role to play in bringing that about.

Further information

Media enquiries

Email

News Desk 020 7008 3100

Channel website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office

Share this article

Latest News from
Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Free, Secure, Compliant UK Public Sector IT Recycling Service