(Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will call for the UK to be the "investment partner of choice" for Africa at a conference in London on Monday.
The prime minister has said that he hopes the gathering will "generate new opportunities in Africa for businesses across the UK".
Johnson will also state that the government will no longer provide any direct support for thermal coal mining or coal power plants overseas.
The PM will say that the UK has "unique expertise and innovation in technology, clean growth, infrastructure and finance" which can feed the continent's demand for sustainable growth.
The UK-Africa Investment Summit, hosted by the PM, will bring together 21 African countries with UK and African companies.
The government said that deals worth billions of pounds will be announced at the gathering.
At the summit, the prime minister will announce an end to UK support for thermal coal mining or coal power plants overseas, ending direct official development assistance, investment and export credit.
The summit will be attended by African leaders such as President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, and President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria.
South Africa's Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni will also attend, alongside Minister of International Relations & Cooperation Naledi Pandor and Minister of Trade & Industry Ebrahim Patel.
South Africa's message at the summit will be that while the country faces challenges of weak economic growth
and fiscal pressures, the country remains open for business as one of the best investment destinations in the world. South Africa will also highlight the efforts made to implement structural reforms to ignite economic growth; ease the cost of doing business; curb government debt; and stabilise state-owned enterprises.
Government programmes will look at improving clean energy supplies and business opportunities for women and, it is hoped, will encourage billions of pounds of private sector investment in Africa.
The programmes from the Department for International Development, totalling GBP370 million, include support for green energy, a GBP45 million programme helping young people – especially women – access the internet, develop digital skills and find jobs, and a GBP200 million programme to help build basic trade infrastructure in southern Africa.
International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said: "Africa's economic potential is huge, with eight of the world's 15 fastest growing economies and a population set to double to over two billion by 2050.
"We have much to offer African nations – UK aid is tackling climate change and supporting women entrepreneurs, our tech and digital expertise is helping Africa grow new industries and the City of London is channelling billions of private investment into Africa, boosting jobs and growth."
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will host a reception to mark the UK-Africa Investment Summit in Buckingham Palace on Monday.
By Shaun Connolly, PA Political Correspondent
source: PA
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