Abstract Book of the 10th International Conference on Research in Management and Economics
Year: 2025
[PDF]
US-UK Special Relationship: A Comparative Perspective on Subsaharan Africa’s Economic Development, Employment and Business Opportunities
Dr. Lovatiana Raveloarison, Mialy Rabarison
ABSTRACT:
This research investigates the dynamics of the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom in terms of their strategies for economic development, employment and business opportunities in SubSaharan Africa. It examines how the political, economic and diplomatic alignment between the US and the UK influences their relationship with SSA countries, and what the implications of their strategies are. Despite the extensive research on Sub-Saharan economic development, there has been limited research on the special relationship in the context of African development. This study therefore aims to fill this gap. The methodology focuses on a structured approach to examining the UK-US relationship in the African economic development. It is based on the case studies of the UK’s Department for International Development projects and the US’s African Growth and Opportunity Act, their convergences, and their respective impacts on the economies of three African countries: Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. The case studies provide empirical evidence and detailed insights into the countries that have been the focus of US-UK cooperation. The findings suggest that Nigeria has benefited from both the US and the UK trade and aid policies in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Kenya has benefited from US-UK relations in agricultural development and trade. South Africa benefited from US-UK relations in the development of sectors such as mining and technology, during its post-apartheid economic recovery. The study contributes to a detailed understanding of how the US and UK jointly contribute to African economic development through trade, aid, and diplomatic strategies.
Keywords: African economies, Aid Development, Globalisation, International Relations, US-UK cooperations