Event

The future of UK-Africa relations

London, UK
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The UK government is reviewing its approach towards Africa, to establish long-term and mutually beneficial partnerships with African nations grounded in shared interests and priorities. The UK has a significant engagement with the continent, though multifaceted bilateral relations, trade and investment linkages, the substantial African diaspora in the UK, and joint membership of key multilateral organisations. These can be leveraged to support economic growth, promote security, support climate change initiatives and invest in people through health and education.


At this workshop, held by the Chatham House Africa Programme and British International Studies Association (BISA), practitioners and academics will share experience and knowledge-based perspectives on the future of the UK-Africa relationship and priority areas to support long term mutually beneficial relationships across the continent.

Programme

9.30 - 10.00am – Registration


10.00 -11.00 – Session 1: UK-Africa relations

  • HE Jeremiah Kingsley Mamabolo, South African High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
  • Dr Nick Westcott, Professor of Practice, Department of Politics and International Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
  • Chair: Alex Vines, Director, Africa Programme and Research Director, Chatham House

11.00am - 12.30pm – Session 2: Understanding changes in the UK-Africa relationship

  • UK-Africa Relations in the changing geo-political context - Dr Lesley Masters, Visiting Fellow, Loughborough London Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs, Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Trent University
  • The free trade myth and the UK’s post-Brexit trade with Africa - Dr Stephen Hurt, Reader in International Relations, Oxford Brookes University
  • The Future of UK Aid to Africa in an Era of Decline - Dr Melita Lazell, Associate Professor in Political Economy and Development, Associate Head of School, University of Portsmouth
  • UK-Africa Relations in an Age of Multipolar Great Power Competition - Dr Manu Lekunze, Lecturer in International Relations, University of Aberdeen Chair: Chris Vandome, Senior Research Fellow, Africa Programme, Chatham House 

12.30 - 1.30pm – Lunch


1.30 - 2.45pm – Session 3: UK-Africa relations and the Just Transition

  • Dr Alexander Beresford, Associate Professor in African Politics, Director of Research and Innovation, POLIS, University of Leeds
    Dr Ruth Bookbinder, Research Fellow for New Business Case Development, African Centre of Excellence, University of Birmingham
  • Professor Vera Trappmann, Professor of Comparative Employment Relations, University of Leeds
  • Prince Nkadimeng, NUM Deputy Regional Secretary, Highveld Region
  • Lord Jonny Oates, Co-Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Africa
  • Chair: Dr Lesley Masters, Visiting Fellow, Loughborough London Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs, Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Trent University

2.45pm – Closing remarks

Please RSVP to ghurrell@chathamhouse.org to attend.

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