Tech a priority for Blair's Africa Commission

The Commission for Africa set up last year by U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair has listed greater support for science and technology among its top priorities for the African continent.

The international commission, established to review the economic challenges facing Africa, has concluded that science and technology play a critical role in promoting economic growth and social progress. A report published by the London-based commission earlier this month said that Africa needs about $500 million per year for 10 years to develop and improve science and technology.

The report called on the world's richest nations for the funding.

The commission is on Blair's agenda this year as the U.K. takes over the revolving chairmanship of the so-called G8, a group of the world's eight most economically developed countries. African government leaders welcomed Blair's attempt to use the post to influence the G8 into committing money for African technology development .

"Blair's commission report on developing science and technology in Africa will definitely revive ailing African countries' economies because science and technology is the backbone of economic development of any country in the world," said Zambian Transport and Communications Minister Abel Chambesh.

Britain will also hold the European Union presidency during the second half of this year, which the report said presents an opportunity for the British government to influence rich nations into donating money to Africa's science and technology programs.

The Commission for Africa is a 15-member international body, which includes Kwame Amoako, the secretary general of the Economic Commission for Africa, a U.N. commission working to improve Africa's technology sectors.

The commission's report also said it will work in collaboration with the science and technology commission of the New Partnership for Africa's Development, a Johannesburg-based initiative that is operating under the auspices of the African Union and building and improving the continent's technology infrastructures.