In 2016, development aid from the French Development Agency (AFD) for Africa stood at €4 billion, up 25% compared to 2015. A performance which comes in a context where international aid for Africa is slumping.

France’s contribution is spurred by major changes related to demography, society, ecology, energy, digital, technology, but also political changes.

Out of the support from AFD to Africa (which represents 50% of its external commitments), €600 million was invested in renewable energies. AFD aims to bring this sum up to 3 billion euros by 2020.

Overall, AFD which acts a development bank disbursed about €9.4 billion to 108 countries. This is 13% more than it did in 2015. Loans to States and companies represent 42% of this amount, while 11% were subsidies. Finally 5% are guarantees and participations.

In January 2017, on the sidelines of the Bamako Summit, France’s former president, François Hollande pledged to provide €23bn to Africa in the next five years.

Fiacre E. Kakpo