Democracy, France has trained more than 20,000 African soldiers-Africa summit agenda

In a bid to help crush the growing jihadist threat, France has trained more than 20,000 African soldiers every year since a Paris summit in 2013

BAMAKO - 

Talks gathering some 30 African states and France begin in Mali's capital Bamako on Friday, with leaders expected to focus on Africa's battle against jihadists and bid to improve its democratic record.

The summit, also due to take in the migrant crisis, will see foreign ministers gather first, with heads of state expected to follow Saturday, according to Malian and French conference organisers.

Leaders meeting in Bamako will also discuss the huge flow of migrants from Africa to Europe, a diplomatic source said.

A French diplomatic source said Paris is expected to increase its annual aid and loans commitment to African nations by a billion euros to five billion ($5.3 billion) over the next three years.