Activist rocker Bob Geldof has told of his pride after seeing trade and growth in Africa upon returning to Ethiopia last week (ends13May12).
The Boomtown Rats star was blown away by signs of economic improvement he witnessed during his latest visit to Ethiopia, 27 years after organising the Live Aid concert extravaganza to raise money for famine relief in the country.
In a column for Britain's The Sun, he writes, "What a change. Almost everything we talked about, everything you've done, Has Worked! Get this. Of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world, seven are African! Including Ethiopia...
"Last week I met British, American and Chinese companies all looking for investment opportunities. When I wrote the line 'feed the world' I Never expected that... it would actually be Africa that was starting to do precisely that. That's what's happening...
"Just 25 years ago all those people suffering from constant drought would have died. But because of systems put in place with your money, and the new strength in African nations, they can now feed those wretchedly poor children. There is no famine!"
Geldof also called for further support for developing Ethiopia, adding, "They still need our help and I am certain they will get it from the people of Britain. But Africa has changed."