WATCH NOW

Click here to listen

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has called Africa "a scar on the conscience of the world" and has recently launched a commission to find ways to improve the lot of the only region of the world that has actually got poorer over the last twenty years

There have been plenty of such initiatives, from NEPAD, the New Partnership for Africa's Development, to AGOA - the US plan to help African exports, but much of Africa remains mired in poverty, disease and corruption.

But what else can the world do? Are the conditions of international trade and policy unfair? Or does the answer lie in the continent's own vast wealth of talent and natural resources?

This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

Your comments:

It is not so much aid that Africa needs, but fair treatment K, Mauritius

Africa receives aid, but barriers are put to African exports to the US, the EU; large subsidies given in industries where African products are comparable but cheaper to produce. A large portion of African resources are being exploited for a relative pittance by MNCs; the riches of Africa are being drained, even so long after the official end of colonialism in Africa. It is not so much aid that Africa needs, but fair treatment.
K, Mauritius

The problem is that Africa has too many dictatorships and tribal conflict to allow economic development. Who wants to invest in a corrupt nation. We lived in Kenya for a time and loved the people and country. It was sad to see how foreign aid was mispent and wasted by the ones in power for their own personal gain and power. A stable democracy will do wonders for Africa - otherwise we are pouring money into a bottomless pit.
Rob, SC, USA

Stop throwing money at Africans and insulting their dignity and will Lisa, Wisconsin, USA

My brother has been in a West African country for years now. The people are wonderful and hard working. When my brother spoke to local leaders and farmers about how he could offer help, they said they did not want a financial handout to improve agricultural performance. They wanted information to improve yields. My brother not only worked the fields and taught as he laboured, he also arranged for US farmers (on their own time/own money) to come to Africa and show them improved farming techniques. Peanut production alone last year had an impressive increase. The lesson: stop throwing money at Africans and insulting their dignity and will. Africans are not children. They don't need a welfare nanny; they need friendship and information to support their own successes.
Lisa, Wisconsin, USA

Africa already receives too much help in my view. They are always waiting and whining for handouts from the rest of the world. It's about time they quit depending on everyone for aid and started figuring out how they will utilize the resources they do have to better their situations.
Krista, USA

We must realize after all, that there are other ways of living and being happy in this world, than only our present "Western View". Africa has a longer history of mankind than Europe and America. Our drive to accumulate wealth and money is not everybody's idea. The Africans will take their time just as Europe had taken. We, the western world needed centuries to get were we are today!
E.Schmidt, Heidelberg, Germany

Major world powers need to step in and aid re-structuring of many countries Rob Lonsdale, Leeds, UK

No. I don't think there is any question of it, Africa is severely underdeveloped with poverty and civil warfare rife. Something needs to be done, although foreign aid simply isn't the answer. Major world powers need to step in and aid re-structuring of many countries, such as the Sudan, in order to fully aid Africa. Deaths due to famine and war are not being ignored, but "passively watched" too much.
Rob Lonsdale, Leeds, UK

I think the UK/US Should sort its self out before jumping into more trouble. Why the US/UK think they have to Police the world and solve everyone's problems I don't know. We have so many problems to solve about ourselves. Perhaps if we stopped giving the Africans money handouts which they use to by weapons back from us they might just stand a chance.
Robert Stone, Berks

Africa gets a tremendous amount of aid from the outside. That it hasn't significantly progressed is a sign that no amount of outside help works when people don't help themselves. Corruption, wars and lack of work ethic are not external causes.
Michael, London ENG / Tokyo JPN

The issue of helping Africa has been used for long by Western leaders as a political soundbite Khabbab Abdalla, Sudan

Africa is usually grouped as one homogeneous entity. If Blair wants to really help Africa he must have a more focused approach identifying where help is needed. Unfortunately, the issue of helping Africa has been used for long by Western leaders as a political soundbite. The commission like many others will come up with a good academic paper of why Africa is getting poorer but the political will not follow to implement these recommendations (the commission will most probably out-live terms of offices of political leaders). Let us start a step by step approach. First provide all relevant information by dedicating a week for each of the African countries outlining trade, economic, political, cultural and other information provided to the general public through a media campaign to educate and enlighten the general public. After 49 weeks (49 countries) conclusion and recommendations can be drawn.
Khabbab Abdalla, Sudan

Once the African governments stop wasting aid money on corruption & genocide (witness last nights reports on the tens of thousands being killed by government supported "troops" in the Sudan), then yes, there are many things other countries should and could do to support the African nations. However, they must help themselves first and stop this corruption & genocide.
Brent , Oxford, UK

It is not aid that Africa needs most, but simply a level playing field. If Europe and the USA removed their production and export subsidies related to key agricultural goods like cotton and sugar - overall worth many times more than total overseas development aid combined - African farmers would be better off, and overall it would support their development efforts much more than aid.
Janos Pasztor, Bonn, Germany

Why do the Africans need help? It is a beautiful continent with wonderful people. It is rich in resources and cultures. They need help overthrowing some of their Governments maybe. But I am tired of lining the pockets of Dictators with our money.
Kenneth Jones, Houston, USA

Let natural selection do its thing John, USA

African nations don't need bank loans which they have no hope of repaying and which mostly go back into the pockets of the rich nations or local currupt individuals. They need help in training for agriculture, education, health, building communications infrastructures and management of the natural resources of their own country.

That help is first of all best provided by trained personnel from other countries, funded by those other countries, and then the African countries can each step forward from that springboard on to help themselves rather than receiving handouts and being swindled of their national assets.
JohnM, LyneMeads, UK

Let them solve their own problems. It will all come naturally in due time. I believe it was John Malthus that wrote how the food supply is usually smaller than the population. Therefore there is always a fight for survival. Giving these people hand outs simply keeps them in a state of constant starvation.

Their population rises whenever we produce food for them that they cannot. To compensate for their population increase we simply send more food and supplies. Putting them in a constant state of starvation. Let natural selection do its thing.
John, USA

Africa will not get the help it needs to develop from these so-called developed states. Besides, we Africans don't need any help from these neo-colonialist and imperialist governments. Africa commands a large portion of the world's natural resources. The solutions to the continent's problems can only be found in a United Africa. But until that is achieved we Africans will continue to be beggars.
George Meyiri, London UK

The current failure in Africa is a direct reflection of the failure of the international community Sahand Hormoz, Toronto, Canada

Forget Africa - get our own house in order. What about our pensioners, improve the NHS and education services. We will go like Africa if we do not invest into our own infrastructure.The youth is our future.
Richard, UK

As an African, I feel ashamed that we have re-directed aid funds meant for development into personal ventures. African politicians and heads of organizations that do receive aid are all guilty of corruption. I suggest donor countries instead send in their qualified personnel into Africa, not send any money.
Benson Moono, Chicago, Illinois, USA

In terms of resources, Africa is one of the most richly-endowed continents and as such should be a world leader and not supposed to be at the receiving end of aids and donations. The so-called foreign aids and support in the long-term can only remain counter-productive by making Africa perpetually dependent on foreign donors and destroying the will power and determination to rise to the challenges facing us.

Necessity they say is the mother of invention and unless we take our destiny into our hands foreign aids can only 'give us fish' but will never teach us how to fish. What mother Africa needs is a stable democracy characterised by transparency in public services and accountability to the people. Given that enabling environment, we shall catch up with the rest of the world soonest.
Joe, Nigeria

The current failure in Africa is a direct reflection of the failure of the international community. The economical and social problems of Africa are far too severe to be tackled by Africa alone. To overcome them, the international community has to get past their self-interests and coordinate a feasible development plan.

Mr. Blair is a pathetic hypocrite who will never do ANYTHING to help Africa Jon Davis, USA

This does not mean simply the removal of trade restrictions. Development has to start from the fundamentals, creating industries that meet the needs of the West is not a solution, and will only lead to more problems in the future.
Sahand Hormoz, Toronto, Canada

"Needs"? Interesting choice of words. Or do you really mean "deserves"? If we help others, are they free to do whatever they choose with that help, or do we set up rules by which others must adhere to access the help? The days of string-free assistance from prosperous governments are nearly over, I would say.
Julie, USA

Call off the loan sharks and cancel the Third World Debt that has been repaid many times over in interest on huge loans they cannot cope with. From 1983-1989 a surplus of $165 billion [in debt repayments] went FROM countries receiving aid TO the countries who were 'giving' it. Again in 1994, the less developed countries paid out $112 billion more than they received. Mark, UK

Mr. Blair is a pathetic hypocrite who will never do ANYTHING to help Africa.
Jon Davis, USA

There is no point in pouring money into Africa only for it to be soaked up by rich elites and diverted to Swiss bank accounts.
John, UK

Africa still suffers from the damage of European colonialism John Murray, Dallas, USA

The West will never be able to export its own culture and enforce it on the people of Africa. Technological development, democracy, human rights and the rule of law are essentially Western constructs that have evolved over hundreds of years and are therefore accepted by the majority of its citizens.

There is nothing inevitable about development and to believe that Africa should be more like us is purely cultural imperialism. The solution then is to leave them alone (i.e. no aid, no trade barriers, no political push for human rights) and see what develops.

We may not like it or approve of it but why should we? Finally I will point out that colonialism cannot be blamed for all the problems in Africa. One only needs to look at the former colonies of Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong etc) to see that an adverse history need not be a future burden.
Crispin James, Stratford, UK

From the "donor" citizen's point of view Africa is getting more than enough aid in relation to how it is actually used. Inefficiency and corruption consumes it before it amounts to anything productive. What could be done more is to free the trade for African countries and remove the agricultural product barriers set by the industrialized nations. That would help more than the poured in aid money.
Mikko Toivonen, Helsinki, Finland

Africa still suffers from the damage of European colonialism. It seems that some of Africa's native population have grown so dependent on the post-colonial system of aid and political control, that they continue to need aid in areas where they should be self-sufficient.

We could best help Africa by not accepting so many refugees and immigrants Neal, London, UK

No amount of reasonable aid will change the culture of dependency that many African communities are mired in. As long as corrupt governments waste the aid or use it as a political tool for elections, there will be no peace or stability in Africa. The UN and foreign aid are not the answer. Africa needs to take care of Africa.
John Murray, Dallas, USA

Perhaps the best way to deal with Africa's problems is to accept that some parts of the world have a harsh environment that is not easily inhabited by people! Increasing aid to support people in such areas can only lead to an increased population and even more suffering than before. Sorry to be so harsh, but ignoring the facts helps nobody.
Ray G, London, England

We could best help Africa by not accepting so many refugees and immigrants. Forcing the talent Africa produces to stay in Africa and make things better is the way to go.
Neal, London, UK

Interesting that the same crowd calling for more aid for Africa is the same crowd demanding debt forgiveness. Wouldn't international debt be a sure sign that financial aid has already been given and squandered? Yes, we should help more, but accountability and transparency in African governments is critical.
Shane, USA

I am all for helping those across the world that are in need, but I think that it is more important to make the people in Africa self-sufficient, instead of having them rely on financial aid that is not always quickly provided.
Adam, Toronto, Canada

I bet somehow it's America's fault and that of Bush in particular MikeS, Chicago, USA

I think the international community has done just fine. When is Africa going to help itself? They have some of, if not the most fertile land on this planet. They could easily feed the world but are dying from starvation. When all of their stupid warring tribes decide to stop fighting and start planting, they will be the better for it.
Clay Dove, Dallas, TX, USA

I have read several articles about the AIDs epidemic in Africa. Most of the problem seems to stem from the fact that the African men refuse to alter the behaviour that is rapidly spreading AIDS - several partners, not practising safe-sex, etc. - although they have been educated in that respect. You cannot help anyone who refuses to help himself. However, it is heart-breaking to see the effects on the children and the women.
Cheryl, Houston,USA

I bet somehow it's America's fault and that of Bush in particular.
MikeS, Chicago, USA

I believe the help given to Africa is not sufficient and most of the times it is not directed to the most demanding situations. Why am I saying this? You can realise that a lot of resources are put into conflict resolution. I am not against this but I think a lot of these resources need to put into conflict prevention, as it's said - prevention is better than cure. The donors need to focus more on issues such as food and medication so that we can be better of.
Madun Sanyang, Banjul, The Gambia

I want to think that helping Africa should not only mean giving money to governments - it should mean encouraging NGOs that can channel the needed resources to the afflicted. Africa needs democratic governments so that when there are complaints the government elected by the people should respond. Africa does not get the help it needs in areas like banking, security, firm constitutions, leaders respecting their terms in office etc. Without this the common man suffers.
Lobte Emmanuel, Cameroon

I personally think everyone is ready to exploit Africa Dr Wodi Samuel, Munich

Is anyone really ready to help Africa? I personally think everyone is ready to exploit Africa. The exploiters include African politicians, Europe and America. Africa being a scar on the world's skin is a colonial and imperialistic legacy, a result of discriminatory Euro-American actions and bad governance.
Dr Wodi Samuel, Munich, Germany

Africa's problems are now more the fault of its leaders than of anything else. Think of Mugabe, Idi Amin, and the Ethiopian Government of the late 70s and early 80s. These people have presided over the wilful destruction of their own countries. Tackle the politics first and stability and growth will follow. Throwing money may ease our conscience, but all it does is buy Palaces and guns, never food or infrastructure
Richard Corless, Bridgend, Wales, UK

Africa needs its leaders to be accountable and strong, instead of corrupt and greedy Marco, Mooinooi

The problem with helping Africa is that there are too many greedy officials involved with the distribution of aid. In addition Africans have has so much help in the past, they have forgotten how to help themselves and now the help is expected rather than deserved. A mixture of helplessness and corruption - what a cocktail! A fair amount of debt relief is needed in Africa, but before anymore is given to Africa, Africa needs to learn to help itself - Africa needs its leaders to be accountable and strong, instead of corrupt and greedy.
Marco, Mooinooi, South Africa

Want to help Africa? Cancel Third World debt is a nice start. Once that is done, help them spend money on food, education and health.
Aaron David Hall, Telford, England

Africa is seen as a problem to be solved - do you think it would be better to start addressing it as a challenge or opportunity and get rid of the negative image that the word problem creates?
Alice, London, UK

It is time to stop supporting friendly governments to buy votes and sell weapons and start supporting good governance Artur de Freitas, Johannesburg

Africa does not get the kind of help it really needs. It is time to stop supporting friendly governments to buy votes and sell weapons and start supporting good governance. Before any more money is thrown into Africa, members of government and business leaders who do not meet the basic criteria of good governance should have their private accounts frozen and travelling curtailed. It is time to take action against leaders that cause misery to their own people. Then Africa needs and deserves more economic and technical help.
Artur de Freitas, Johannesburg, South Africa

Global trade is run for the benefit of a few multinational companies and while we in the West are happy to let this situation remain, the developing world will continue to suffer, not just Africa.
Mark Blackman, London, England

Before Africa gets help for her problems, it is either too late or little. Of course, examples of failed foreign aids are many to point out. But the issues of bad governance and corruption speed up even a minor problem - poor drainage system and sewage treatment in population centres - into a major one within a short period, resulting in lost of lives during rain season. Who do you blame for the corruption of the men and women at the helms of Africa's affairs? Is it lack of proper education? No. Are they greedier than their counterparts elsewhere? No. It is the lack of a sense of nation building regardless of whatever problems the colonial masters left behind.
Mutiu Animashawun, Lagos, Nigeria

It is the leaders and governments which are to blame for the misgovernment. Corruption and dictatorship have been the common way of government together with high rate of criminality. Also, there are a lot of civil wars between ethnic lines, which is a legacy from the colonial times when borders were drawn between the colonial powers to suit them best without any considerations. The best way to tackle the problems is education and higher moral standards, which has to be shown from the leadership.
Jan Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

No it doesn't get all the help it needs. Like always Africa and its people are always relegated to the background. But the crux of the matter is that Africa should be able to help itself like the Ghanaian proverb which says, "Onyame boa dee oboa ne ho" meaning God helps those who helps themselves. This is the time for Mother Africa's children to help build our continent void of conflicts, diseases, poverty, corruption and most of all encourage good governance.
Vivian T Afriyie, Ghanaian in Miami