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UK aid to Commonwealth countries set to fall to £131m by 2028-29
The UK plans to cut aid to Commonwealth countries with existing bilateral programmes from £546m in 2024-25 to £131m in 2028-29, as its overall aid budget shrinks. The reductions come as leaders meet at the Commonwealth summit in Antigua and speak about shared ties and nature protection, prompting criticism of a gap between the UK’s public commitments and its funding.
The projected 2028-29 total includes £68m for Nigeria, leaving £63m for other countries. Sierra Leone and Rwanda are each set to receive £5m, down from nearly £30m; Tanzania’s aid is also due to fall to £5m. At least 26 Commonwealth countries have been excluded from the Darwin Initiative’s roughly £40m annual funding for nature projects, while the Caribbean Development Team’s budget is scheduled to fall from more than £98m to £45m.
In short
- UK Commonwealth aid is projected to fall to £131m by 2028-29.
- Nigeria is set to receive £68m of that total.
- Nature funding and support for poorer countries are also being reduced.
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The case for
Reducing aid may be necessary as the UK’s overall aid budget shrinks, and concentrating limited funds could preserve support for the countries or programmes judged to have the greatest need or impact. The Government could argue that shared Commonwealth ties and environmental aims do not by themselves determine how public money should be allocated, and that other forms of partnership may continue.
The case against
Large cuts risk weakening services and development work in countries that have relied on UK bilateral support, while excluding many Commonwealth countries from nature funding could hinder conservation. Critics can argue that the reductions sit uneasily with the UK’s public commitments to Commonwealth cooperation and nature protection, and that abrupt falls may damage trust and long-term partnerships.
Explained simply
The Commonwealth is a group of countries, most of which were once part of the British Empire, that work together on issues such as trade, development and the environment. Its leaders meet at regular summits, where governments discuss shared priorities and relationships.
UK aid includes money and support for projects in other countries, often delivered through programmes agreed with individual governments or focused on particular issues. The UK government sets the aid budget and decides how it is allocated; countries such as Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Rwanda and Tanzania have received support through these programmes.
Changes to aid can affect public services, development work and environmental projects in recipient countries. They also shape how the UK’s financial support compares with its statements about cooperation and shared priorities within the Commonwealth.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “UK makes huge aid cuts to Commonwealth nations despite warm words at Chogm summit”.