Africa report date is set

The Commission for Africa's report will be published on 11 March, the Prime Minister has announced.

It will coincide with the Comic Relief charity fundraising day.

July's G8 summit in Gleneagles will use the report as the basis for their talks on the future of the continent.

The announcement followed the final meeting of the Commission, which was attended by campaigner Bob Geldof as well as prominent African politicians.

Tony Blair told a news conference that it would be a report 'that's brutally frank about the reality, but I hope idealistic about what can be done if the will is there.'

He added:

"It's an ambitious project we have set ourselves and you will have to judge on its outcome when we publish it.

"What we have tried to do is to come together, commissioners from different parts of the world, different walks of life, to see if it's possible to reach a consensus of agreement on what can be done."

Extra information

The Commission for Africa was established last year by Tony Blair.

Its aim has been to generate ideas and action that will 'accelerate and sustain Africa's growth and development, leading to a strong and prosperous continent.'

The Prime Minister has promised to make the plight of Africa, along with climate change, one of the twin focuses of the UK's chairmanship of the G8.

There are 17 members of the Commission, more than half from Africa.