Will 2005 be a turning point in Africa’s history? The Group of Eight’s debt-relief plan and increased aid spending are real advances towards the goal of reducing poverty, and are a natural focus for the forthcoming summit. However, the ultimate aim of policymakers must be to create the conditions for private enterprise to make poverty history in Africa. not for a week or a month or even a year but for good. Business has a critical role in helping to lead countries permanently out of poverty.

Vodafone’s first-hand experience shows that, in the right conditions, business in Africa can thrive. Africa is now the fastest-growing region for mobile telecommunications in the world, having lagged behind the developed world in telecommunications for decades. The number of African mobile subscribers increased by over 1,000 per cent between 1998 and 2003 and, although this was from a low base, the continent is closing the telecommunications gap with the rest of the world. This stunning progress has been achieved almost entirely through private sector investment.with he rest of the world.