To meet its international aid obligations, Germany intends to increase its development aid to Africa by EUR2 billion ($2.67 billion) over the next four years. Until recently, most of Germany’s aid has come in the form of debt relief to poor nations. The cash assistance will bring the country closer to its official development assistance pledge of 0.51 percent of gross national product by 2010. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who chairs the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations, is set to announce the proposal at the upcoming Heiligendamm summit in June. Half of the funds will be used for anti-AIDS campaigns, while the remainder will finance education and training projects.
Source: Germany to Boost Aid for Africa (Spiegel)