Europe launches $2bn emergency fund to combat migration from Africa

European leaders launched a $2bn (£1.31bn) fund on Thursday to combat the poverty and conflict driving migration out of Africa. The EU trust fund, unveiled at a summit with African leaders in Malta, consists largely of 1.8 billion euros ($1.93 billion) put up by the European Commission. The commission wants member states to match that but few have pledged much so far. The new money, which adds to some €20bn annually donated to Africa by the EU and its 28 states, will finance projects ranging from training and small-business grants to schemes aimed at tackling radicalisation and other violence.

The trust fund is not enough, 1.8 billion euros is far from enough

Mahamadou Issoufou, Niger president

On Wednesday, EU leaders offered African countries aid and better access to Europe in return for help curbing chaotic migration and promises to take back more of those whom Europe expels. A 17-page action plan sets out dozens of initiatives. But on Thursday Afrrican leaders said the money was not enough. Mahamadou Issoufou, the president of Niger, said: "What we want is not just official development assistance in this form but reform of global governance. World trade must be fair. There must be more investment in Africa. Official development assistance is good but it’s not sufficient.“ Senegal leader Macky Sall, who took a swipe at Europe for holding back on aid while failing to clampdown n corporate tax dodging, added: "The numbers of Africans migrating towards Europe are not as great as people say.”

It’s painful to admit but a few Greek ferryboat captains have been more effective in the struggle against migration than several rounds of meetings of 28 prime ministers

Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban

Politics migration summit