Africa wants the G8 summit to launch trade and aid initiatives to revitalise the continent's flagging economies.

"There is an unprecedented resolve on the continent to turn away from the begging bowl"

Thabo Mbeki

African leaders led by South African President Thabo Mbeki go to the summit on Thursday with their own set of proposals, looking for a major commitment to assist the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) championed by Mr Mbeki.

Nepad calls for massive investment in Africa, debt relief and the removal of trade restrictions that hold back African economies.

It also demands action by African governments to resolve armed conflicts and develop more democratic and less corrupt forms of government.

Beyond rhetoric

The development plan is seen as a serious effort by African states to go beyond rhetoric and make real progress.

"There is an unprecedented resolve on the continent to turn away from the begging bowl and engage in new efforts to build a better life," Mr Mbeki said ahead of the summit.

Africa wants more foreign investment

Not all Africans are as optimistic about Nepad as its originators.

Parallel to the G8 meeting, an alternative summit is being held in Siby in Mali. Organised by the Jubilee 2000 debt relief campaigners, it sets out to represent the voices of the poor of Africa.

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The BBC correspondent in Mali says they are sceptical about Nepad or the G8 achieving anything significant for the poor of Africa.

'Equal partnership'

Aid agencies fear that alleviating poverty and fighting Aids will not be sufficiently addressed while trade that benefits developed economies will be at the top of the agenda for the G8 leaders.

The G8 must develop "an equal partnership" with Africa, Matthew Lockwood of Action Aid told the BBC's World Today programme.

The world's leader have promised to raise living standards

He wants more generous aid to go alongside just trade relations, anti-Aids measures and a commitment like that given to the Balkans to assist in conflict resolution.

Mr Lockwood argues that the issues are interlocked and the G8 must ensure that on Aids the provision of affordable drugs by industrialised states must be matched by a real commitment by African governments to deal with the epidemic.

When President Mbeki and four other African leader arrive at the summit on Thursday they will be looking for a positive and viable response to their plans.

Whether they leave satisfied will depend on the importance G8 leaders place on helping Africa to help itself and their trust in the commitment of Africans themselves to play their part.