Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau are among African countries that will benefit from a total of 1.15 billion euros (US$1.3 billion) in aid announced earlier this week by the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union (EU). It is to help support West Africa until 2020. The new funding nearly doubles the EU’s previous commitment to the region.

The European Commission did not reveal how much each country would receive, Portuguese news agency Lusa reported.

According to a press release by the Commission, the new regional funding – described as a co-operation initiative – was signed on Monday with representatives from West African organisations. It is part of the EU’s “West Africa – Regional Indicative Programme”, and supports 16 countries.

“Having almost doubled our support from the last programming period, we will work with a wide range of partners to tackle the challenges that remain in West Africa, such as peace and security, economic integration and trade, as well as sustainable development”, said Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, as quoted in the European Commission’s press statement.

The 10th European Development Fund Regional Indicative Programme (2008-2013) for West Africa had a budget of 595 million euros, the European Commission noted.