In August 2018 the then Prime Minister said the UK was "seeking to work more closely with the more than 50 nations of Africa to deliver our shared security and prosperity, and through this strengthening a global system that is capable of delivering lasting benefits for all”. She emphasised the importance of inclusive growth, and said the Government would “put our development budget and expertise at the centre of our partnership".
In 2015 the African Union outlined, in Agenda 2063, its strategy to achieve the Pan African Vision of "An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena".
In February 2019, the UK and the AU signed a Joint Communiqué on the African Union-United Kingdom Partnership. This set out "a broad range of shared priorities in support of the African Union’s objectives for the Continent and a shared vision for a prosperous, secure and innovative future for Africa, tackling common challenges such as climate change, and making the most of opportunities such as increasing trade links and the dynamism of Africa’s youthful population".
The Committee’s inquiry will focus on how the UK can best support the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the areas for co-operation set out in the 2019 AU-UK Joint Communiqué.