China announced USD 60 billion in additional financing to support Africa’s development at the 3rd Forum for Africa-China Co-operation (FOCAC) Summit, which was held in Beijing on 3-4 September. The biggest Africa event in China brought together leaders from nearly all African countries (except Swaziland), Chinese officials and representatives from the African Union Commission. The Beijing Declaration outlined a new commitment called, “Toward an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future.” The declaration is supported by a 2019-21 action plan. Burkina Faso and Gambia joined the forum as new members. Read on

The French Development Agency (AFD) unveiled its new development strategy for the next five years on 3 September. Drawing on an extensive consultation process, France intends to refocus and boost its development co-operation to build “A World in Common” that preserves and protects five common goods: people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. The new strategy has five strategic priorities and commitments. Read on

Business and migration were the key topics of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s three-day tour of West Africa from 29-31 August. Merkel was accompanied by a high-level business delegation to promote business ties and private sector investment, in line with the objectives of the G20 Compact with Africa that was initiated in June 2017. Read on

ECOWAS ministers in charge of agriculture met on 6 June 2018 in Ouagadougou to adopt a series of recommendations to support vulnerable populations during the lean season. They took measures to operationalise the Regional Food Security Reserve and further develop its governance structure. Drawing on recommendations of the Food Crisis Prevention Network (RPCA), Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal are eligible to submit formal requests to ECOWAS in order to benefit from country support operations. Read on