Africa on my mind.

Debt relief, fair trade, 'Make poverty history' - some of the phrases that spring to mind when we think about Africa. Such ideas are worthy, but many people would say that the fact that we have them at all shows that Africa seems to have missed out somewhere on the benefits of globalisation. But the assumption there is that there are benefits to be had.

Far be it from me to suggest that globalisation has not had a positive effect on the world, by raising people's living standards in a large number of countries, India and China being the most quoted examples. But we all know the downside too: an ever-increasing rush to the cities, and a world getting warmer, it seems, far more quickly than anyone had predicted.

It's all down to progress, of course, or at least the idea that some day scientists will sort the whole mess out. It's far more comfortable to believe that than to change our consumer habits. But perhaps we'll have to if the scientists don't deliver.

In the meantime, globalisation continues at its usual brisk pace, and Africa struggles to keep up. Although I like his music and have occasionally been seen to dine with the man himself, I find Bono's opinions rather suspect. Call me cynical, but I can't help thinking that my fellow countryman's fight to banish poverty does a lot of good to his conscience - not to mention his ego. 'So what?' you might retort. 'If we all had consciences like his, poverty would be history already.' Ah, well that's where I beg to disagree.

The aid industry - for that's what it is - feeds on the very poverty it seeks to eradicate. Everyone working in charities, NGO's and international agencies like UNICEF makes a living by distributing help to the poor. Why would they want poverty to end? No, to really make poverty history calls for a different approach altogether.

The first step is to ban hypocrisy. When Europe and the USA stop subsidizing their agriculture, the claim that the World Trade Organisation serves a purpose might be believable. For the moment, the only purpose I can discern is to talk in order not to reach an agreement. After the last time talks broke down, there was much bitter argument about who was responsible, but if the developed world can't set an example, then they must only expect that others will behave the same way.

Having accepted responsibility, the developed countries must then accept the consequences: people within their own borders may suffer. Jobs could be lost, standards of living could drop. But this is the price to pay for getting rid of poverty.

There is much talk these days of fair trade, and very commendable it is. When consumers are more aware of how their coffee, bananas or clothes ended up on supermarket shelves, they tend to change their attitudes and shopping habits. But the fairest trade will start when not just a few producers, but all of them, are able to compete on a level playing field. Right now that field is sloping steeply one way. And guess who's playing uphill? You've got it.

Tom Hunter of The Move says Africa is his favourite continent. He's there right now, in fact, though not on one of his usual assignments. Perhaps that's why I have Africa on my mind. I can't reveal any more about what Tom is doing because I don't want to put his life at risk. But as soon as I feel that it's safe, I promise readers of The Limit that they will get our exclusive coverage of the story.