Why UK sees Kenya, Somalia, Nigeria as crucial to defence plan

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a reception, following the UK-EU summit, in London, Britain on May 19, 2025.

Photo credit: Reuters

The United Kingdom will, within months, adjust its defence outlook to be prepared for modern security threats, while also identifying Kenya, Somalia and Nigeria as crucial African partners in security cooperation.

These revelations are in the new Strategic Defence Review (SDR), a policy paper adopted by the government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday. The document aims to make “Britain safer…secure at home, strong abroad” and signals a return to military spending as a means of strengthening the UK's economic position.