Angela Merkel's remarks in the final communique of the G8 Summit that African countries must take responsibility in the fight against poverty and disease must be taken seriously by both the G8 nations and African governments.

The G8 on their part should set Africa free to do business in their markets. If the standards expected of African products are clearly spelt out, African entrepreneurs will seek to tap into wealthy nations' markets. Of concern to Africa is the shifting of goals exhibited in the ongoing debate on global warming and its possible effect on movement of goods.

Yes, the Chancellor and her team may have committed billions to fight diseases in Africa, but unless African ingenuity is allowed to thrive, the cycle of borrowing has already been set through wealthy nations' concern on climate change. The African business person must learn to address both local and international needs or get wiped out of the market place.