France to increase sub-Saharan African aid: Sarkozy

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - France will increase its aid to sub-Saharan Africa over the next five years and plans to commit 2.5 billion euros ($3.78 billion) to create nearly 300,000 jobs in Africa, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday.

"Overall, this initiative will mobilize two and a half billion euros over the five-year period, which will be used to directly or indirectly finance nearly 2,000 companies and create 300,000 jobs," Sarkozy said in a speech delivered to South Africa's parliament.

(Reporting by Wendell Roelf)