London , August 28 2018 - Following the UK Prime Minister's speech in Cape Town today, a Save the Children spokesperson said:

"The Prime Minister’s visit to three African countries is welcome recognition of the enormous progress this exciting continent has made, thanks in part to UK Aid. We hope this new approach to partnership will be African led – delivering for a young and dynamic population, who are transforming the prospects of their continent and their individual nations.

"As the critical route out of poverty, it is absolutely right that UK Aid helps to develop the economies of low-income countries. But any new approach to aid spending must be guided by two key tests: a) ensuring it supports local businesses, and builds local jobs and institutions and b) ensuring it does not divert aid spending away from the delivering for the world’s most vulnerable people.

"A genuine win-win for the UK, is helping to build a healthy, stable and prosperous continent; our investment approach must be shaped by what will deliver this for the most deprived and marginalised people – not simply by what will produce returns for British businesses."

ENDS

With any enquiries please contact media@savethechildren.org.uk / +44 (0) 7831 650409