France is spending 2 billion euros to develop green energy for Africa.

(Baonghean.vn) - On December 1st, President Francois Hollande announced that France plans to spend billions of euros on renewable energy and invest in environmental projects for African countries over the next five years.

French President Hollande at the COP21 conference in Paris. Photo: Reuters

Speaking at a meeting with African leaders on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21) currently taking place in Paris, President Hollande announced that the French government will double its investment in the development of renewable energy sources, from wind and solar power to hydroelectric projects across the African continent. The investment will reach 2 billion euros between 2016 and 2020.

In addition, Paris will triple its current contribution to the fight against desertification and climate change challenges in Africa. Most of this investment will be deployed in former French colonies in West Africa, where Paris has significant security interests and has deployed thousands of troops to combat the Islamic State (IS).

Africa is not a major emitter of greenhouse gases, yet the region suffers significantly from climate change. The "Green Wall of Africa" ​​project, initially intended to build a large green wall to prevent the southward expansion of the Sahara Desert, will now focus on land resource regeneration.

Phuong Thao

(According to Reuters)