UK-Africa Trade Post-Brexit: How the New Trade Architecture Creates Opportunities for UK Brands
Brexit has prompted the UK to develop a standalone Africa trade strategy — including the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), bilateral trade negotiations with African countries, and the UK-Africa Investment Summit agenda. Understanding this new architecture helps UK exporters navigate the post-Brexit Africa trade landscape.
How Brexit changed UK-Africa trade#
Before Brexit, the UK's trade relationships with African countries were governed by EU frameworks — including Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with various African regional blocs. Post-Brexit, the UK has had to develop its own trade architecture for Africa — either rolling over existing EU agreements into UK-specific versions, or developing new bilateral frameworks. The rollover agreements have maintained broadly similar preferential access for African countries' exports to the UK. For UK exports to Africa, the situation is more complex: some African countries that had preferential access to the EU market (and the UK as part of it) no longer automatically have preferential UK market access, and UK goods entering Africa no longer benefit from EU-origin status for countries with EU Free Trade Agreements (like South Africa and Morocco).
The UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS)#
The UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) — which replaced the EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) for UK trade from June 2023 — provides preferential duty rates for imports from developing countries into the UK. For African countries, the DCTS provides enhanced preferential access for some product categories compared to the previous EU GSP framework. While the DCTS primarily affects African countries' exports to the UK rather than UK exports to Africa, it matters for UK businesses in two ways: it affects the competitiveness of African-manufactured goods in the UK market (relevant for UK businesses competing with Africa-origin imports), and it creates commercial incentives for UK businesses to establish African manufacturing operations that qualify for DCTS-beneficiary preferential access to the UK market.
The UK-Africa Investment Summit#
The UK-Africa Investment Summit — first held in January 2020 with a second edition in April 2024 — is the flagship event of the UK government's Africa commercial engagement. The 2024 summit attracted over 50 African heads of state or government and generated over £24 billion in investment commitments. The summit has catalysed: UK government financing commitments through British International Investment (BII), new trade mission programmes through the Department for Business and Trade, and sector-specific initiatives in clean energy, technology, agriculture, and healthcare. UK SMEs can access summit-linked programmes through the Department for Business and Trade's Africa team and through the associated UK-Africa Business Council.
Bilateral UK-Africa trade negotiations#
Post-Brexit, the UK has been developing bilateral trade agreements with individual African countries and regional blocs. Key developments: UK-Eastern and Southern Africa EPA (with Kenya, Rwanda, and others) — maintaining preferential access for these countries' goods in the UK market. UK-SADC EPA (with South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, eSwatini, Mozambique, and Namibia) — maintaining broadly the pre-Brexit preferential framework. UK-West Africa EPA (with Ghana) — the UK signed a bilateral continuity agreement with Ghana. UK-Nigeria Economic Partnership negotiations — ongoing, with Nigeria representing Africa's largest potential bilateral trade agreement. These frameworks are primarily relevant for African exports to the UK — UK exports to Africa continue to pay local import duties without specific preferential access from most UK-Africa bilateral frameworks.
How UK businesses can leverage the UK-Africa agenda#
UK businesses can leverage the government's Africa commercial engagement through: Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Africa services — free market intelligence, buyer matching, and trade mission participation for UK companies exporting to Africa. UK Export Finance (UKEF) — export credit insurance and financing guarantees for UK companies selling into African markets with payment risk. British International Investment (BII) — BII's portfolio companies provide potential B2B customer relationships for UK businesses selling to the Africa corporate sector. UK-Africa Business Council — membership provides access to policy advocacy, peer network, and government relationship development for UK businesses with Africa commercial interests. FCDO Africa economic development programmes — some FCDO-funded programmes procure UK goods and services for Africa market development, creating direct commercial opportunities.
People also ask
How has Brexit affected UK trade with Africa?
Brexit has prompted the UK to develop a standalone Africa trade strategy — including the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, bilateral trade agreement negotiations, and the UK-Africa Investment Summit. UK goods entering Africa no longer benefit from EU-origin preferential status for countries with EU Free Trade Agreements (such as South Africa and Morocco).
What UK government support is available for exporting to Africa?
UK exporters to Africa can access: Department for Business and Trade (DBT) market intelligence and buyer matching services, UK Export Finance (UKEF) export credit insurance, British International Investment (BII) portfolio company relationships, and the UK-Africa Business Council membership and advocacy network.
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