UK unveils new trade reforms to boost African exports, intra-continental trade
The reforms, announced on July 10, 2025, are part of an upgrade to the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and include simplified rules of origin.
This change will allow African countries, even those further up the value chain like Nigeria, to source production inputs from across the continent while maintaining tariff-free access to the UK market.
The UK government says the move is expected not only to boost trade with Britain but also to enhance intra-African trade by supporting the development of regional supply chains, thereby helping to unlock the $3.4 trillion potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Last year alone, goods worth over £3.2 billion imported into the UK from African countries benefitted from preferences under the UK’s development trading arrangements.
Speaking at the launch, UK Minister for Development Jenny Chapman said the new reforms reflect a changing global dynamic.
“The world is changing. Countries in the Global South want a different relationship with the UK as a trading partner and investor, not as a donor.
These new rules will make it easier for developing countries to trade more closely with the UK. This is good for their economies and for UK consumers and businesses.”
UK Minister for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander also emphasised the importance of trade in development, “No country has ever lifted itself out of poverty without trading with its neighbours. Over recent decades, trade has been an essential ingredient in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty around the globe.”
In addition to the rules of origin reform, the UK will also:
Provide targeted support to help African exporters meet UK product standards and navigate complex customs procedures.
Facilitate trade in services, including digital, legal, and financial services, by strengthening future trade agreements with partner countries.
The updated rules form part of the UK’s broader Trade for Development initiative, which aims to support economic growth in developing countries while helping UK businesses and consumers access high-quality, affordable goods.
The reforms are also in line with the UK’s new Trade Strategy, which prioritises global partnerships and access to fast-growing, future-oriented markets.
