vines

In contrast, UK-Africa relations have been "a lot more lacklustre", says Alex Vines, the head of the Africa programme at Chatham House, a London-based think tank.

Dr Vines adds that he expects South Africa-UK relations to improve under Labour because of its historic ties with the anti-apartheid movement that fought white-minority rule.

With an ageing population in the UK - as with much of the developed world - Dr Vines says that the sharing of skills will increase.

Dr Vines says aid can be important to deal with humanitarian crises, climate shocks and to finance projects aimed at expanding the private sector in Africa, but he does not see the Labour government increasing funding.

Dr Vines agrees, saying he expects the UK to continue promoting multi-party democracy in Africa, but there will be "less finger-wagging, and more quiet diplomacy".