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UK PM Johnson seeks post-Brexit deals at Africa summit

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AFP London
Last Updated : Jan 20 2020 | 6:05 AM IST

Prime Minister Boris Johnson meets 16 African leaders at an investment summit Monday that will see Britain cast out a net for trading partners in its new life outside the EU.

The first UK-Africa Investment Summit in London comes less than two weeks before Britain formally ends its decades-long involvement in the European integration project.

It also follows a tour of sub-Saharan Africa former prime minister Theresa May made in 2018 -- the first by a UK leader in five years.

The 16 leaders from 21 attending African countries include presidents Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt and Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Ghanaian leader Nana Akufo-Addo will also attend.

Johnson will tell the African leaders and big company executives that he wants to make Britain their "investment partner of choice," Downing Street said.

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He is also expected to announce an end to Britain's support for thermal coal mining and coal power plants overseas.

"UK aid is tackling climate change and supporting women entrepreneurs," Britain's International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said in statement.

"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," said Sharma.

"We have much to offer African nations."

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First Published: Jan 20 2020 | 6:05 AM IST

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