British companies have landed contracts worth more than £330 million to deliver major infrastructure projects across West Africa, the government announced as it opened a major trade forum in Guinea this week.
According to GOV.UK, the deals will see UK firms supply goods and services for nine projects spanning education, clean water, electricity transmission and government buildings in Guinea and Benin. The contracts are being backed by £1.1 billion in financing and guarantees from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the government’s export credit agency.
The announcement came as the fifth UK–West and Central Francophone Africa Trade and Investment Forum opened in Conakry, Guinea, bringing together British businesses and potential partners from the region. UKEF also revealed it is increasing its exposure capacity across West and Central Africa by £1.7 billion, creating greater scope to support future projects involving British exporters.
Schools, water and power infrastructure
Among the major contracts, UKEF is providing £75 million to support a large-scale education infrastructure programme that will deliver new primary and secondary schools across four regions of Guinea. The project, awarded to Planet One, aims to improve access to education for thousands of children through modern classrooms, sanitation and related facilities.
A further £91 million will back the Guinea Regional Water Project, a multi-region programme expanding access to clean, potable water through new treatment and distribution infrastructure. The contract has been secured by UK-headquartered Aqua Africa, which has previously won UKEF-backed financing for water infrastructure in the region.
UKEF is also providing £129 million towards the La Cotiere Conakry Transmission project in Guinea, part of a wider electricity network programme to improve power distribution around the country’s coastal region. The contract was secured by Elecnor and is expected to create UK supply-chain opportunities in transmission equipment, grid technology and engineering services.
In Benin, UKEF is providing finance of £82 million to help fund a new government administrative complex, consolidating public services within a modern urban development. The contract was awarded to ACC UK Group Ltd, with opportunities for UK firms to contribute design, engineering, security systems and specialist building services.
Government backs trade expansion
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described the deals as “a major win for UK businesses” that would help firms secure new contracts in fast-growing markets while driving jobs and growth across the United Kingdom.
“By backing projects like these, UK Export Finance is helping British firms win work overseas, creating opportunities for communities here at home while strengthening our trade partnerships across West and Central Africa,” Reynolds said in a statement.
Tim Reid, CEO of UK Export Finance, said British businesses had won a large number of contracts to support key infrastructure projects across the region in recent years, driving job creation in the UK while helping partners in francophone Africa build the infrastructure they need.
What this means for Poles in the UK
The African infrastructure contracts create employment opportunities for workers across the UK supply chain, particularly in engineering, construction services, manufacturing and specialist technical sectors. Firms involved in electrical equipment, water treatment technology, building systems and educational infrastructure may be recruiting as they ramp up to meet export orders.
Polish professionals in the UK working in construction, civil engineering, electrical engineering, project management and technical trades may find job openings at companies such as Planet One, Aqua Africa, Elecnor and ACC UK Group Ltd, as well as their suppliers and subcontractors. Those with experience in large-scale infrastructure projects or international contracts may be particularly well-placed.
UK Export Finance provides guarantees and financing to help British exporters win contracts overseas, reducing the risk for firms and banks. If you work for a UK-based business looking to export, UKEF support can make it easier to secure deals in emerging markets. More information on UKEF schemes is available on GOV.UK.
The West and Central Francophone Africa Trade and Investment Forum, running until 21 October 2026, offers a platform for British businesses to explore partnerships and contracts in fast-growing African markets. Companies interested in future opportunities in the region can follow UKEF announcements and trade missions through the Department for Business and Trade.
