Written question asked by Callum Anderson (Labour) on Monday, 14 July 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 July 2025. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Monday, 21 July 2025 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Developing Countries Trading Scheme: Sub-Saharan Africa

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what role the Developing Countries Trading Scheme plays in the Department’s strategy for strengthening UK trading relationships in sub-Saharan Africa.

Answer: We are committed to our trading relationships across the continent of Africa, founded on partnerships and respect, to deliver mutual long-term benefit. Recent UK-Africa consultations demonstrated that African partners want increased trade with countries like the UK, and within the continent. Trade has the potential to drive growth. The UK provides duty-free, or virtually duty-free, market access for goods from 48 countries in Africa through our Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and network of Economic Partnership Agreements. The UK also continues to support African partners to boost intra-African trade and prosperity through the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 67673
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Developing countries trading scheme Overseas trade Sub-Saharan Africa
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk