Geneva, 10 November 2001 In line with the economic development strategy for an African country, sometimes exposed during conversations with the people (Europeans, Americans, etc) who the Nigerian businessperson rightly perceives as a prospective investor, we must learn more.

Global financing and technical partners are pleased to propose to businesspeople and at times, to communities leaders in sub-Saharan African countries - villages chiefs, regional territory managers, big cities administrators etc... - a scale down development strategy to boost up the economic development of the territorial entity they are in charge of. I must confess that this experience is more widespread and well known in francophone Africa, but Nigeria is coming more and more into the picture since Obasanjo's hold on power is confirmed, however, the Nigerian business person's Plan & Strategy is more important than the federal government concerns and situation, what is clear now is that, we can forget about our policies if stability of the country does not shine on our business plan.

You will agree with me that francophone Africa is not more predictable than Nigeria, Sierra Leone or Ghana but Paris helps its own.

At a conference last week at the headquarters of the International labour organization on 'Employment', all the speakers did not sideline African issues from business to trade but the isues of Asia and South America seems to be more important and French Africa stole the show too.