UK Cancels £215 Million in Education Tenders, Signalling Shift in Aid Priorities

The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office withdrew tenders for two major education programmes in 2026: the £65 million SHEFE initiative targeting women in higher education across Africa and Asia, and a £150 million Education for All scheme in South Sudan. Both cancellations reflect broader cuts to overseas development assistance. The pattern signals a retreat from multi-year commitments that partner institutions in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East had begun planning around, potentially reshaping how these regions assess future UK aid reliability.