The Mayor of the East Midlands has hailed news of global investment worth millions of pounds into a major Derby business as “fantastic”
Ahead of the G20 Summit in South Africa, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a string of high-profile export deals – and praised the “world-leading” expertise of engineers in Derby.
The global investments include a £370 million package of air deals with Algeria, with Rolls-Royce to supply new jet engines, built in Derby, to the North African country’s flagship airline Air Algerie.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “This is fantastic news for Derby and the East Midlands. Rolls-Royce is key employer, not just for people who live in the city, but for residents in nearby towns and villages too. This vote of confidence in our region will protect and create opportunities for better jobs and skills for local people. The message from the Government is clear: the East Midlands is open for business.”
The new Rolls-Royce contract will see the company, which employs 14,500 people in Derby, provide and service engines for 10 aircraft through the lifetime of the project.
Further deals include agreements to provide British expertise to support South Africa’s railway network and drive digital transformation across Vietnam’s railways.
The Prime Minister visited a train depot in Johannesburg today, to see Derby-built trains in action, before announcing the agreement between the UK and South Africa to provide British expertise to help reform South Africa’s rail system.
Crossrail International – owned by the UK Government – will provide strategic advice and consultancy services to drive private investment into South African railways, maximise social, economic and environmental benefits, and bolster opportunities for British companies in both freight and passenger rail in South Africa.
In Vietnam, the UK will be supporting Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction in delivering high-tech, sustainable rail networks, allowing Vietnam to draw on the UK’s world-class experience and expertise in creating digital strategies that contributed to the success of the Elizabeth Line project.
Sir Keir said: “Working with global partners to deliver jobs and opportunity at home is a one-way ticket to growth.
“The UK is a world leader in engineering, from steel welders in Scunthorpe to technicians in Derby. British workers are powering the world through their skill and profession.
“I am determined to open more doors for British businesses across the world so together we can drive growth, create highly skilled jobs to drive down the cost of living, and deliver opportunity to people across the United Kingdom.”
From high-speed rail to stealth submarines, the Prime Minister also announced that the UK has won an initial contract to assist the South African Navy in assessing the operational readiness of their Type 209 submarines and undertaking the deep maintenance of at least one of those submarines. This marks British defence firm Babcock’s first defence contract in South Africa.
And in a major boost to the British economy, the UK and South Africa have also cut red tape to reduce trade friction with a new Authorised Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement to unlock opportunity for businesses in both nations.
Meeting African and British business leaders in Johannesburg, the Prime Minister heralded the new global agreement, which is estimated to add between £400m and £700m in additional export opportunities to the UK economy over five years.
A first of its kind agreement between the UK and an African nation, the move paves the way for further agreements with countries across the continent. Africa presents unparalleled future opportunities for UK businesses, with 50 per cent of Africans under the age of 20, and more than 25 er cent of the world’s population set to live in Africa by 2050 – making Africa the home to both the consumers and the workers who will power 21st century growth.
Published on: 21 November 2025
Categories: News, Economic Development, Skills and Employment