VIENNA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Tuesday called for significantly more European investment in Africa, Austria Press Agency reported.

The chancellor made the call prior to the opening of the High-Level Forum Africa-Europe which has gathered numerous European and African leaders as well as business people.

He said the forum should represent something of a "paradigm shift" in that along with existing development aid, and should begin to also incorporate increased economic development and investments.

According to Kurz, the European Union is the largest net donor for development aid in the world, where investments are concerned. "There is room for improvement," he added.

The chancellor noted that with a booming population on the African continent, economic growth could also follow, and that investment would bring jobs and educational opportunities.