Ready to share their natural resources, African countries today sought greater Indian investments, particularly from the private sector, to boost economic growth in the continent. Addressing the first-ever India-Africa Forum Summit here, leaders and Heads of State from the African continent said that they were open to private investments.“Africa needs to meet the fundamental needs of its population by building schools, providing housing and generating employment,” Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila Kabange said. In an apparent reference to international attention to the natural resources-rich continent, he said that Africa needs “concrete action” and not mere assurances for developing the region. “Words, speeches and promises have remained mere words, we need immediate visible projects,” he said.Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said most African countries have rectified their age-old mistake of rejecting private investment and have also learnt to put up a joint front in dealing with trade issues. He sought Indian investments and technologies to develop the infrastructure of Africa, particularly in the field of railways and power generation. Speaking about food security, he said that while the world is facing an acute shortage of foodgrains, his country has these commodities in ample quantities. Ghana President John Kufour lauded India’s progress in information technology and said that Africa is keen on development in the area of science and technology. He expressed the hope that the India-Africa Forum will be used for developing the continent’s human resources, building institutions and deepening economic ties.“There are immense opportunities for cooperation. We want to deal on the basis of a win-win policy for mutual benefit,” African Union Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare said. Complaining that several promises in the past had not been fulfilled, he said, “we are not begging. We don’t want a cosmetic attitude but real funding” for the development and democratisation of Africa. “India can be a major contributor to ensure Asia-Africa togetherness and resurgence,” Konare said.South African President Thabo Mbeki hailed the Indian announcement on duty free market access, saying it will result in extensive benefits for Africa. Senegalese President Maitre Abdoulaye Wade said that Africa will “seize the opportunity to turn a new chapter in trade”. Zambian Vice-President Ruypiah Banda sought investments in the agro-processing and light engineering sectors.
