UK Aid Cuts Slash Support Across Africa

The United Kingdom will significantly reduce bilateral aid to several African countries under a broader plan to cut its overseas development budget, with funding for some nations expected to decline by more than 80% by 2029.

The reductions follow the British government’s decision to lower overseas development spending from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income. Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia are among the countries expected to face the largest cuts, while total bilateral aid to Africa is projected to fall by 56%.

Aid organisations and members of Parliament have criticised the decision, warning that it could affect healthcare, education, humanitarian assistance and climate resilience programmes in vulnerable communities across the continent.

Development organisations say countries that depend heavily on UK assistance could struggle to maintain essential public services and emergency response programmes unless alternative funding sources are secured.

The UK government said the policy reflects a shift towards greater reliance on partnerships and multilateral institutions rather than direct bilateral assistance. Officials said the approach is intended to improve the effectiveness of development funding while helping Britain address domestic fiscal pressures.

The final distribution of future funding has not yet been confirmed, and implementation is expected to take place gradually over the next three years. Some countries could see bilateral support reduced by as much as 90% compared with current levels.

SOURCE: AllAfrica