Minister of state for Africa Harriett Baldwin made the announcement after signing a partnership with the African Union, which also includes a joined-up approach to tackle clime change.

The African Union is a continental union of 55 countries, which aims to foster greater unity between nations.

Baldwin, of the Department for International Development, said: “From our support to observers ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria and Senegal this weekend, to the crucial training our Armed Forces provides to security forces in Kenya, the UK’s partnership with African countries continues to help empower and upskill people across the continent, and this funding will allow us to boost those efforts.

“Our new partnership will also cement our relationship with the African Union, building on growing economic ties to forge new opportunities for young people and reinforce our close bonds.”

The funding, which is part of the partnership agreement, will be spread over three years to train peacekeepers in Kenya and assist free and fair elections.

It will also support the next phase of trade negotiations in the African Continental Free Trade Area – a planned area of free trade among 49 of the 55 African Union countries.