British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the concept of reparations for former colonial nations affected by slavery “is not about transferring money.”

In his first comments since 56 Commonwealth leaders signed a joint letter in October saying “the time has come” for a conversation about reparationsLammy told the BBC it was not “the debate people want to have”.

“I want to point out that there is a kind of simplistic debate in the press, which thinks that these are money transfers,” he said.

Speaking in Nigeria, Lammy said the UK instead wanted to develop relationships with the continent based on sharing skills and science.

“This is not about money transfers, particularly at a time of cost of living crisis in much of the world, and certainly in the UK,” Lammy said.

“I think that’s not the debate people want to have. They want to think about the future.”

Speaking in Lagos, a Nigerian port city once central to the transatlantic slave trade, on his first visit to Africa as foreign minister, Lammy said it was true that Britain had previously excused for his role in slavery.

He said: “When we look back on that period, there were many horrors. It was horrific and horrific in many ways. And there are scars that have been left, and let’s be clear: I am the descendant of slaves, therefore I recognize it.

“When we were last in government, we apologized and we commemorated the abolition of the slave trade.”

Lammy acknowledged that Caribbean countries had developed a 10-point plan for restorative justice.

But he added that he believed developing countries would benefit from the initiative, particularly through the transfer of technical skills and scientific expertise from the UK.

The Foreign Minister’s remarks on reparations follow discussions on the issue last month at CHOGM in Samoa.

The UK is facing growing calls from Commonwealth leaders to pay reparations for the country’s role in the slave trade.

Before the Samoa summit, Downing Street said the issue should not be discussed, but Sir Keir Starmer later signed a document calling for discussions on “restorative justice” alongside other Commonwealth leaders.

Lammy spoke to the BBC at the start of a trip in which he will visit Nigeria and South Africa, among the continent’s largest economies.

He said he wanted to launch a five-month consultation period with African countries.

“I think the UK needs a new approach to Africa,” the foreign secretary said.

“A lot has changed since my party was last in government under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, where there was a huge commitment to the continent but it was largely development based.

“The dynamism, the energy here in Lagos. The potential for growth and opportunity in many areas. There is so much potential.

“What I hope over the coming months and years is that the UK can partner more, here in Nigeria and on the continent.

“And the fact that the UK is here again, because what I’ve heard is that the UK has gone backwards somewhat over the last few years, that’s reflected in our trade figures.

“I think we can do a lot together in the months and years to come.”

Asked about other Africa-related issues, Lammy said the conflict in Sudan was “extremely concerning” and said the UK planned to make it a priority in November, when it takes over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council.

He said: “The loss of life is incredible and exceeds that of other conflicts around the world.

“The humanitarian catastrophe that has been unfolding for several months is extremely worrying.

“We have just taken over the presidency of the UN Security Council and I intend to make Sudan my priority over the next month.

“I will be in New York to discuss the issues – both the humanitarian issues, but also how we bring the parties together to try to achieve a peaceful outcome.

“The fact that Sudan has not received the international attention it needs is a matter of great concern, given that it is not only about the suffering it involves, but also the way in which it frankly jeopardizes stability in the wider region, which will have enormous implications. potentially if Sudan is to become a totally failed state.

“Huge implications, not only for East Africa and the African continent, but of course also for Europe.”