Look to Africa for 'hard cash', Lords tell new UK government
The House of Lords said the UK had missed the boat and had to play catch-up in the race for Africa's critical minerals.The Labour government in Britain has been urged to rethink soft power and diplomacy, and to look for"hard cash" in doing business with African countries.
"We need to see Africa not as a charity, but as a place of opportunity. Politicians and diplomats believe in soft power and diplomacy... Coming from a business background, I believe in hard cash," he said.Popat urged the UK to join the race for critical minerals in Africa, such as lithium, to salvage the little that remained of its car manufacturing industry.
"If we do not secure reliable supply chains for these materials, we will see a further exodus in the car industry," he said.The UK had missed the boat, said Popat. "The cut in aid has had a very disruptive effect on our relationships with Africa. I am glad the previous government started to restore the balance, and I hope the new government will follow that through and help us to cement new relationships. The cancellation of the UK investment summit was disappointing, particularly at a time when the World Bank was making a very big engagement with Africa.
Lord Swire suggested that a starting point for a reset of relations with Africa could start with the Commonwealth because it"presents a real opportunity and an open market for British businesses".
Lord Potat United Kingdom Diplomacy
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