The UK Government has said that the appointment of Emma Wade-Smith OBE as Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa would sustain its commitment to promoting peace and security in Africa.

The UK International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox MP appointed Wade-Smith on Wednesday, according to a statement from the High Commission in Abuja.

According to the statement, the appointment would build on the UK’s position as a leading partner for Africa’s peace, security and prosperity – supporting trade, investment and job growth.

Wade-Smith is a senior diplomat and trade expert of 20 years, and has served in Brussels, Chile, Mexico, Washington and more recently in Africa as Department of International Trade’s regional trade director.

She was awarded an OBE for diplomatic service in 2012.

The newly appointed trade commissioner made a commitment to “put partnerships at the heart of our business relationships, building on the work we are already doing to transform our shared entrepreneurial spirit into jobs and growth in the UK and across Africa.

“Having spent the last two years working on this exciting and dynamic continent, I know it is bursting not only with opportunities today, but potential for tomorrow,” she added.

In his remarks, Fox said that trade was at the heart of the UK’s approach to Africa and added that trade commissioners played a critical role in improving trade with “key markets of the future”.

“With young and growing populations, and the world’s fastest-growing middle class, there is huge potential for British businesses to create modern trading partnerships across Africa.

“Emma will help unlock the continent’s potential, supporting jobs, growth and prosperity in the UK and Africa.”

More than £28 billion of goods and services were traded between the UK and African countries in 2016.

The continent is also home to four of the top six fastest-growing economies in the world (Libya, Ethiopia, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire) and opportunities in infrastructure alone are worth £62 billion a year. (NAN)

– June 21, 2018 @ 09:27 GMT |