World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz suggested Tuesday that aid to poor countries be more closely linked to their ability to use it effectively. Many African countries are stepping up efforts to improve governance, Wolfowitz said at a discussion with reporters before heading to the Group of Eight summit. Problems such as corruption have plagued the continent in the past and stifled its growth, DPA reported. African countries' helping themselves is "a new ingredient" in the fight to aid the continent, Wolfowitz said. He cited Nigeria, which he visited in June, as an example of a government that "is stepping up in a very courageous way". Such successes deserve reinforcement by the international community and aid groups, which have to know that their aid to Africa is being used effectively to be willing to keep contributing, he said. However, countries that have fallen behind stated goals also still need to receive aid, he said. Waste and mismanagment of aid also point to the need for better coordination, Wolfowitz said, noting that it is pointless if 10 groups each launch their own programmes assuming a road will be built - and then it does not get built. --More 2327 Local Time 2027 GMT
