NAIROBI, Kenya – African exporters are set to gain significantly from a new package of trade reforms announced by the United Kingdom, aimed at enhancing access to the UK market and driving economic growth across the continent.
The reforms, unveiled on July 10, are part of an upgrade to the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) — the UK’s flagship trade preference programme covering 65 nations.
The changes are designed to simplify trading rules, reduce tariffs, and help African businesses expand into international markets.
Under the new DCTS framework, African countries will benefit from simplified rules of origin, allowing exporters to source inputs from any African nation and still access the UK market tariff-free.
The move is expected to boost intra-African trade and unlock the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which represents a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.
“The world is changing. Countries in the Global South want a different relationship with the UK—as trading partners and investors, not just as aid recipients,” said UK Minister for Development Jenny Chapman. “These new rules will make it easier for developing countries to trade more closely with the UK. This is good for their economies and for UK consumers and businesses.”
In 2023 alone, African countries exported goods worth over £3.2 billion to the UK under the DCTS framework.
Trade, Not Aid: A Shift in Strategy
The UK government says the DCTS upgrade is part of its broader Trade for Development initiative, which aims to support sustainable growth in developing economies while giving UK consumers access to high-quality, affordable goods.
“No country has ever lifted itself out of poverty without trading with its neighbours,” said UK Minister for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander. “Trade has been an essential ingredient in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty around the globe.”
In addition to tariff reductions and easier rules of origin, the UK also announced plans to:
- Support African exporters in meeting UK standards and navigating complex customs procedures.
- Strengthen future trade agreements to include service sectors such as digital, financial, and legal services.
These changes follow extensive consultations with UK businesses, trade associations, and international partners, with the goal of creating inclusive, future-ready global trade systems.
A Post-Brexit Trade Vision
Launched in 2023 following the UK’s exit from the European Union, the DCTS represents a key component of the country’s new trade strategy, which emphasizes partnerships with emerging markets and growth through global collaboration rather than aid dependency.
The UK is also committed to expanding services trade, especially in digital and professional sectors, and aims to position itself as a long-term partner for Africa’s economic transformation.
