I will make Africa a 'Priority' in Germany's G20 Presidency say German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor while on a three days Africa tour said in Ethiopia, she would make Africa a priority for Germany’s G20 presidency next year.

Merkel is on a three days Africa tour to talk about the rate of Africa migrants risking their lives to Europe and also to plan investments she believe will help Africa's economy, the Africa countries are Mali, Niger and Ethiopia.

Earlier Angela  Merkel told Ethiopia to open up its politics and ensure police do not use heavy-handed tactics against protesters, after more than a year of unrest that rights groups say has led to about 500 deaths.

While making speech to African Union, Merkel said Berlin would host a high-profile conference on Africa in mid 2017.

"We want to strengthen private investment to create sustainable growth and jobs," Merkel said, adding it was important to expand infrastructure on the continent and improve professional training.

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"There are already many German companies active in Africa but there could be more," she said, adding that sometimes other countries offered deals for infrastructure projects that were linked to financial packages.

The German Chancellor urged Africa Union to come together to resolve the issues facing Libya today.

"I am expressly in favour of the African Union bringing its influence to bear to help solve the conflict,” Merkel said in her speech to the African Union, adding Libya had become a “sad example" of the consequences of state structures collapsing.