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Press release: Minister pledges UK assistance at Africa summit to fight food insecurity

  • Minister for Development plus Africa will hold discussions along with African leaders this week upon rising food insecurity.
  • Toby Mitchell will explore opportunities to expand British Investment directly into African countries to tackle this challenge.
  • He will meet Senegalese President and current African Union Chair Macky Sall during his go to, which will celebrate the UK’s growing partnership with a fast-growing, democratic, and stable local power.

During his visit, he will see the impact of this kind of investment to date, including a . 7bn partnership between British International Investment and DP World which features a brand new container port at Ndayane, Senegal’s largest onshore investment. The slot will enable the development of over 20, 500 new jobs and help unblock barriers to greater economic growth. Symbolizing the UK at the Dakar two Feed Africa Summit, a good African-led initiative, the Minister will listen to African commanders talk about the causes of rising food insecurity and hear their vision for accelerating agricultural transformation, with the aim of maximising the UK’s impact in alleviating food shortages over the continent. The UK is working with regional organisations like AGRA, Regional Economic Communities and the Africa Continental Free Industry Area (AfCFTA) to help reinforce food trade in The african continent. Senegal is a top stable and democratic nation in the region, growing in significance and influence, and the UK hopes to build a closer partnership and greater business and investment ties on the long-term. Like a leading supporter of the African Development Bank I am thrilled to participate in the Dakar 2: Feed Africa Peak on an issue that we all of the need to work together on. Andrew Mitchell will also visit Institut Pasteur sobre Dakar to hear about their plans to develop vaccines pertaining to Covid and other deadly illnesses. Minister for Africa, Andrew Mitchell, said:

Along with Russia’s war in Ukraine exacerbating the already extreme impacts of regional conflict in Africa and environment change on food security, I also want to hear straight from Macky Sall and other Africa leaders about the issues the continent is facing and understand how the UK can more support African countries once we face those challenges, jointly. The UK Minister for Development and Africa will emphasise the importance of the UK working with African countries to develop economies and boost meals security – on a two-day visit to Senegal, starting today (Tuesday 24 January). Mr Mitchell will see first-hand the effect of British investment in Senegal, including how UK-funded projects are supporting women and ladies, and helping to build Senegal’s vaccine production facilities to tackle the next pandemic.

He will see the British Council’s landmark British Connects programme and go to the Women’s Integrated Sexual Wellness Programme (WISH) clinic exactly where our delivery partner Marie Stopes International is increasing access to voluntary family planning, reaching those most in need. Economic development is crucial to tackling challenges like food insecurity and climate change and on his go to Mr Mitchell will explore opportunities to expand UK expenditure into the country to make a real and lasting positive influence.   The UK-Africa Expenditure Summit in 2020 introduced 27 deals worth over £6. 5bn from throughout Africa. It also announced £9bn worth of investment decisions. Being released on the in Dakar, Andrew Mitchell will hail the important partnership between the UK and Senegal, a country, with large economic potential. Many Brits know Senegal for its world-class football team. They may not know that our partnership with Senegal reaps benefits for people both in our countries, delivering financial growth and tackling typical security and health dangers. We hope to deepen this particular partnership over the long-term. He will meet key Senegalese government figures on his visit, including present African Union Chair plus Senegal President Macky Sall. He will also set out the UK’s vision of a stronger partnership between the UK plus Senegal that delivers shared prosperity and security, plus tackles global issues such as health and climate change. He will sign the first ever Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Senegal, a symbol of our growing partnership.

Notes to Editors

  • Over 145 million people across The african continent are in crisis levels of foods insecurity, with many under category IPC3+.
  • Immediate concerns would be the prospect of widespread starvation in the Horn of The african continent, as well as areas experiencing discord such as the Sahel and nations exposed to the impact associated with climate shocks such as Madagascar.
  • If farmers are not able to gain access to or afford fertiliser, there exists a risk that the food access crisis of 2022 will certainly deepen and continue this year and beyond. The Africa Development Bank estimate that will Africa could lose 20% of food production over the next two harvesting seasons.
  • The UK has supported $30bn of financing from the World Bank and $1. 5bn from African Development Financial institution set up to address the increased food security risks over the continent.
  • The UK will also provide £200m for the Africa Development Bank’s Climate Action Screen and was the first non-African associate to sign an MoU with the Africa Continental Totally free Trade Area, both of which will help to strengthen the resilience of Africa’s food systems.

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