WASHINGTON -- IMF managing director Horst Koehler leaves tomorrow on a "listening tour" of five African nations, where governments are faced with the daunting task of reducing poverty while boosting the economy. The focus of Koehler's tour through Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, Mozambique and South Africa is expected to be debt relief, said Marc Plant, the IMF division chief in the African department. "The good part of African countries are poor countries and developing countries who are receiving substantial debt relief ... and who are facing the problems of uniting the joint objectives of growth and poverty reduction." Plant said that Koehler "recognises the potential in Africa, in that Africa is a resource rich continent. The key question is how to exploit those resources for the benefit of Africans," he added. Koehler's last stop is July 7 and 8 in Johannesburg. -- Sapa-AFP
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