Boris Johnson woos Africa – the Economist
Research by the British Foreign Policy Group was cited in the Economist, in an article considering Britain’s diplomatic footprint in various parts of the world.
Research by the British Foreign Policy Group was cited in the Economist, in an article considering Britain’s diplomatic footprint in various parts of the world, and an increased push to develop diplomatic relationships with African leaders – as Boris Johnson tried to woo African leaders at the UK-Africa Investment Summit.
The article noted that Britain’s diminished network of diplomatic missions should be bumped up, and that as foreign secretary Mr Johnson had promoted a plan to open or reopen a string of smaller ones. It reported that, according to a BFPG report, in 2017 Britain had 231 diplomats (excluding local hires) in 31 of sub-Saharan Africa’s 48 countries – a tiny footprint compared with France, which counted 1,373 diplomats across 42 embassies south of the Sahara.
The British Foreign Policy Group is an independent, non-partisan think tank based in London. Through dynamic research, events and networks, we seek to strengthen the UK’s international engagement, and advance understanding of global affairs in the 21st century.