Our aid spending in Africa is set to more than double, from £1.3 billion in 2004 to over £3 billion in 2010. DFID, through country and regional programmes, supports African countries' efforts to accelerate growth to reduce poverty. This helps our partner countries to cope with the rise in external fuel prices and mitigate the impact of these rises on the poor.
The UK supports the key international financial institutions which are leading an international response to this global challenge. The International Monetary Fund is helping with balance-of-payments support, and has so far provided additional financial assistance to five African countries. The World Bank is active in providing policy advice on regulatory efficiency and renewable energy, financial support through investments in energy, and in research on the drivers of energy price rises.