British PM Theresa May can't resist one more dance in Africa

British PM Theresa May gives dancefloor diplomacy another go as she wraps up her Africa trip.

Prime Minister Theresa May breaks into dance whilst meeting scouts at the United Nations offices in Nairobi.

Prime Minister Theresa May breaks into dance whilst meeting scouts at the United Nations offices in Nairobi. Source: AAP

For the second time in her three-day Africa trip, British prime minister Theresa May has busted out some dance moves.

At the United Nations office in Nairobi, she met a group of scouts and guides and joined them in a dance.

Prime minister Theresa May was an enthusiastic participant in the dance.
Prime minister Theresa May was an enthusiastic participant in the dance. Source: Press Association


She also had a go at playing football and other ball sports during the event. 

May's first Africa visit is part of a campaign to promote Britain's global ambitions and relations with just seven months left until Britain formally leaves the world's biggest trading bloc.

After meeting with May, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said he felt reassured, amid the uncertainty brought on by Britain's decision to quit the EU next year.

"I don't see Brexit as meaning anything detrimental towards the strong trade ties we have," Kenyatta said.

Both leaders referenced the historically close ties between Britain and its former colony.

However, May is the first British prime minister to travel to Kenya for 30 years.

"We wish to prosper together so let us do business together. We have democracy in common so let us defend it together," said Kenyatta. "And as for our common enemies, such as terrorism, let us fight it together."

In Kenya, as in South Africa and Nigeria earlier this week, May was eager to ease worries and emphasise opportunities as Britain leaves the EU.

"As Britain prepares to leave the European Union we are committed to a smooth transition that ensures continuity in our trading relationship with Kenya, ensuring Kenya retains its duty-free, quota-free access to the UK market," she said.

"Continuity is what's important, to business, to traders: no cliff-edge, no sudden disruption to trading relationships," May added.

Stagnating trade

In Nigeria on Wednesday, May met with President Muhammadu Buhari and oversaw the signing of a security partnership agreement and establishment of an economic development forum.

She also held talks on stemming the migrant flow to Europe from Nigeria, Africa's most populous country.

On Tuesday, May kicked off her three-nation visit in Cape Town, South Africa, pledging to prioritise investment in Africa - although it was her diffident dance moves rather than diplomacy that captured the headlines.



May declared her ambition for Britain to become the G7's biggest investor in Africa by 2022 and announced a new four-billion-pound ($5.1 billion, 4.4 billion euro) investment programme.

Britain remains Kenya's biggest trading partner but the relationship has stagnated in recent years with Kenyan exports growing only marginally and British exports to Kenya falling.


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Source: AFP, SBS


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British PM Theresa May can't resist one more dance in Africa | SBS News