British and African firms have announced over £6.5 billion worth of commercial deals today, at the opening of the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London.

The commercial deals span a variety of sectors including infrastructure, energy, retail and technology, and will deliver high-quality investment, jobs and growth across the UK and Africa.

They involve well-known British firms such as Matalan, who have announced a £25m investment into Egypt to launch 11 new shopping outlets, GSK who have committed a further £5m investment into Egypt and Diageo who have announced a £167m investment into Kenya and East Africa to support the sustainability of breweries.

Several deals were expected to be signed throughout the day, with African and UK businesses committing investments expected to reach into the billions.

Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss MP said:

Africa represents a huge opportunity for UK businesses, so it’s brilliant to see so many British firms paving the way in trading and investing in the region today to drive growth, create jobs and boost vital infrastructure.

We want the UK to be the investment partner of choice for African nations, and our world-leading expertise in finance, tech, and innovation, makes the UK and Africa natural partners for prosperity.

The deals announced today show the massive potential of UK-Africa trade and the programs we’ve announced will be critical to ensuring UK and African businesses are able to capitalise on trade and investment opportunities, now and in the future.

Full details of the deals announced this morning can be found here.

Baroness Stowell MBE, Chair of the Charity Commission, has welcomed the appointment of Joanne Prowse and Imran Gulamhuseinwala to the regulator’s Board.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport today announced the appointment of the new board members.

They replace Catherine Quinn and Laurie Benson whose terms of office came to an end on 13 November. The new members took up their positions the following day on 14 November.

Joanne brings a wealth of experience in regulation and is currently the Chief Executive of the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA), the UK regulator for content, goods and services charged to a phone bill, which include donations to charity by text, music streaming, and in-app purchases.

Imran is a recognised technology executive, investor and entrepreneur. Currently the CEO and Chair of Open Banking Ltd, the government-sponsored initiative with the potential to revolutionalise financial services by putting consumers in control of their data and payments, he also founded and Chairs his own FinTech startup to serve regular commuters.

Their combined experience brings specific knowledge and skills that will help the Commission deliver on its strategy and purpose.

Baroness Stowell said:

I am very pleased to welcome Jo and Imran to the Commission. They both bring the skills and expertise we need for the Commission to achieve our ambitious strategy and ensure that charities deliver even more benefit to society. Each will make a significant impact to the Commission’s agenda for change, including all we are doing to improve and modernise our services which the public and trustees rely on, and I am delighted to have them on board. I would also like to thank Catherine and Laurie for their contribution to our strategic agenda whilst on the Board and for their commitment to increasing the Commission’s effectiveness.

Joanne Prowse, Board member, said:

I am delighted to have joined the Commission’s Board and look forward to helping the Charity Commission maximise the positive impact Charity makes to society and to ensuring we uphold the special status it holds in the hearts and minds of the public. I hope all my experience of regulating mass-market digital services will help the Commission and charities to serve the public better.

Imran Gulamhuseinwala, Board member, said

I am hugely excited by the opportunities that lay ahead for the Commission. I have seen the progress that has already been made in introducing digital services but there is scope to do so much more. I hope to lend my experience of tech, big data and its potential for transformation of a sector to help the Commission make an even bigger impact and meet the expectations of the public and charities alike.

Imran Gulamhuseinwala has spent over 20 years in the technology sector advising, investing and transforming large and small businesses. Imran was appointed by the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) as the Trustee for Open Banking on 13 April 2017. Open Banking is a world leading initiative intending to bring about greater competition and innovation in the banking market to the benefit of consumers and small businesses. Imran is a former Partner of Ernst & Young (EY) where he led the FinTech practice globally. He is also the co-founder of CommuterClub, a FinTech 50 start-up which helps commuters save money. He was awarded an OBE in the 2017 New Year’s Honours list for his contribution to the financial services sector. He has a Masters in Engineering from Cambridge University and is a CFA charter holder.

Joanne Prowse is the Chief Executive and a Board member of the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA), the UK regulator for content, goods and services charged to a phone bill. Jo has extensive leadership experience in strategy execution, policy development, operations, consumer protection, stakeholder management and organisational change in the regulatory, not-for-profit, digital and commercial

These roles are not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Government’s Governance Code requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared. This is defined as holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Neither Mr Gulamhuseinwala Ms Prowse have declared any Political Activity.

Published 20 January 2020

The Prime Minister met President Museveni of Uganda during the UK-Africa Investment Summit.

The Prime Minister spoke of the UK’s commitment and investment in Uganda and his desire to see the two countries’ trade relationship go up a gear.

The leaders discussed climate change, Uganda’s forthcoming hosting of the Africa Climate Week and the need to push for global climate action ahead of COP26.

Published 20 January 2020

The Prime Minister met President Kagame of Rwanda at the UK-Africa Investment Summit.

The two leaders discussed the strength of the relationship between the UK and Rwanda, which is underscored by an important economic partnership.

President Kagame updated the Prime Minister on Rwanda’s plans for hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting this summer.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of the Commonwealth as a forum for addressing shared challenges such as climate change. He welcomed the action Rwanda has taken on plastic pollution.

Published 20 January 2020