The United Kingdom is delivering significantly more bilateral aid than expected this year — including a 10% increase for countries in Africa — after avoiding budget cuts widely feared just months ago.
A long-delayed funding breakdown for the 2024-25 financial year ending in March shows £3.2 billion (almost $4 billion) allocated for regional programs — compared with an anticipated £2.7 billion, and double the £1.58 billion spent in 2023-24.
Of that £3.2 billion, countries in Africa are receiving £1.5 billion, which is 10% more than expected when provisional allocations were announced before Labour gained power from the Conservatives last July.
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About the author
Rob Merrick
Rob Merrick is the U.K. Correspondent for Devex, covering FCDO and British aid. He reported on all the key events in British politics of the past 25 years from Westminster, including the financial crash, the Brexit fallout, the "Partygate" scandal, and the departures of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Rob has worked for The Independent and the Press Association and is a regular commentator on TV and radio. He can be reached at rob.merrick@devex.com.
