Japan will double its aid to Africa.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the African Union today (Tuesday) Japan would provide two-billion dollars in development loans to the continent.

Abe said linking up with Japanese firms would help Africa to leverage its natural strengths.

He said he was doubling yen loans from a billion to two billion dollars a year.

Referring to Chinese and European investment in Africa, Abe said working with Japanese firms would change people’s view of labor as drudgery.

Abe is wrapping up a weeklong visit to Africa, where he sought to raise Japan's profile on the continent.