France To Support Africa With 20 Million Euro By 2018

France has pledged to extend financial support worth 20 million Euro to Africa by 2018. French President Francois Hollande made the pledge at the just ended 27th Africa-France Summit held in Bamako, Mali, over the weekend.

The forum was attended by President Akufo-Addo, together with Heads of State and Governments from some 30 African countries.

A communique issued after the meeting says the leaders committed themselves towards ensuring that economic growth in their respective countries would lead to a more “inclusive economy”, which will create jobs for the youth in the coming years.

They also agreed to the realization of this commitment within the framework of the International Sustainable Development Agenda. With French President, François Hollande, in attendance, development assistance amounting to 20 billion euros to participating countries, by 2018, was also pledged by the French government.

To this end, the Heads of State and Governments indicated that education and vocational training would be high priorities, as these will improve “human development and the integration of young Africans in the labour market.”

They, therefore, agreed to strengthen the management of education systems on the continent by focusing on quality, particularly by putting in place efficient training and assessment policies. The communiqué also stressed the importance of mobility and the movement of skills on the continent, in order to encourage economic dynamism and inno