President Bill Clinton's 11-day tour of Africa is the most ambitious trip ever to the continent by a sitting US president. It is also the first such visit since Jimmy Carter's trip to Nigeria and Liberia 20 years ago.

Bill Clinton will showcase a new relationship with Africa

The world's political map has radically changed in the intervening two decades, and Mr Clinton's visit highlights the emerging new relationship between superpower and troubled continent.

Partnership, rather than paternalism, has been the underling theme as Mr Clinton and a US delegation, numbering around 800 people, travel from Ghana to Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Botswana and Senegal.

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: `We're not just blowing smoke. We mean it.' (0'19')

Another goal of the trip has been to show Americans back home that Africa has moved beyond the stereotype of a poor continent riven by disease, famine and wars.

He is expected to set out how sub-Saharan nations can work with the US to defeat global and internal threats, while accelerating Africa's full integration into the world community and global economy.

Last year Hillary and Chelsea Clinton travelled to the continent

Mr Clinton, who is accompanied by his wife, Hillary, and daughter, Chelsea, has also voiced support for Africa's emerging democracies and backed moves to protect the environment.

Radio reporter April Ryan: `Hillary Clinton let him know there 's a serious need to help out' (0'23')

Last year Hillary and Chelsea Clinton made a high-profile tour of Africa and some commentators have suggested it was his wife's influence that prompted the Mr Clinton's unprecedentedly long trip.

While the majority of the trip has dealt with creating closer trade ties, Mr Clinton has also addressed the issue of instability in the Great Lakes region.

Yoweri Museveni leads what many consider a model African economy

In Uganda, a country seen by many as a model African economy, around 10 regional heads of state convened for a regional summit.

Clinton meets African leaders

Nelson Mandela will welcome the Clinton to South Africa

A key part of the trip is the trip to South Africa. Mr Clinton set out plans to establish a "long-term partnership" with the country. South Africa, long regarded as the region's economic powerhouse, has been wary of Americans muscling into local markets.

Botswana has some of the finest wildlife in the continent and the Clintons are expected to take the opportunity to relax before travelling on to Senegal.
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