Le French leading business daily “Les Echos” asked us to comment the outcome of the G20 Africa Summit that German chancellor Angela Merkel held in Berlin on 12 and 13 June.

We strongly support the German initiative to put a strong focus on development in Africa, but the budgetary means dedicated to the economic development are, in our view, not sufficient. The effort has to be multiplied, especially in favour of private investments.

We are also in favour of a close cooperation between France and Germany in Africa. We “regret the absence of a dialogue between Germany and France” concerning the development of the African continent, as “Les Echos” cites us. “There is a profound sentiment of competition on both sides”.